News Update
THE Ekiti State Secretariat erupted in celebration on Tuesday as civil servants received their December salaries reflecting the newly approved minimum wage.
Hundreds of workers thronged the office of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ado-Ekiti, singing and dancing to express their gratitude for the implementation of the new wage structure.
Led by several Permanent Secretaries, the workers praised the Governor for honouring his commitment to ensure the new minimum wage was paid. The inclusion of Permanent Secretaries in the wage adjustment, ending years of exclusion, was particularly lauded.
The jubilant atmosphere underscored Governor Oyebanji’s pledge to ensure that every category of worker in the state benefits from the new wage regime.
The Governor, emerging from a state executive council meeting alongside Deputy Governor Mrs Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government Dr Habibat Adubiaro, and other commissioners, addressed the enthusiastic workers.
It will be recalled that Governor Oyebanji had, in November, announced that the new minimum wage would take effect from December 1. Workers began receiving salary alerts on Tuesday, further solidifying the Governor’s promise.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji attributed the ability to implement the new wage to reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which had increased state revenues.
“Honestly, I don’t think you should thank me. We have not done anything unusual. You worked hard and got paid by government. But I thank you also for showing appreciation. Thank God and after God, the only person you should thank is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I’m saying this because what you are seeing today are the outcomes of the reforms he embarked on,” Oyebanji said.
He acknowledged that without the President’s reforms, many states would have struggled to pay the minimum wage. The Governor also hinted at a possible wage increase if the state’s financial situation improves further.
“My plea to you is to support the President. It can get better because N70,000 is just the minimum, we can go beyond it if our situation improves and I know that by the time all these reforms start to bear fruits, there would be a quantum increase in what comes to the states and we can come to you and say yes, we can afford to add more,” he added.
Governor Oyebanji commended President Tinubu for his bold leadership in implementing reforms, despite initial scepticism from many quarters.
“My advice to workers is that we should remain steadfast, be patient and cooperate with the Government. We should also educate others on the usefulness of these reforms to our survival as a nation,” he said.
The jubilant workers pledged their continued support for the Governor, expressing hope for a brighter future under the new wage structure.