Workers Day: Gov Kefas salutes Taraba workers

EMMANUEL AWARI, Jalingo

Taraba state governor,  Dr. Agbu Kefas, has congratulated and commended Taraba state workers on this year’s May Day event.

The Governor, represented by the Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kizito Bonzena, stated this during this year’s Workers Day, held at the Jolly Nyame stadium, Jalingo.

He noted that Taraba workers have continued to maintain the pace as hardworking individuals who price professionalism above every other thing.

According to him,  his administration will continue to support workers and ensure they are given all the tools needed to succeed in their chosen career.

On the issue of salaries and other entitlements, he said that he has never shied away from swiftly addressing all matters pertaining to workers’ rights and privileges.

He stressed that Taraba state takes the lead on minimum wage payments, gratuities, and other packages designed to elevate workers in the country.

“One of my very first actions i took on the assumption of office was to visit the state secretariat complex in Jalingo.

He reaffirmed his commitment to make the edifice conducive for workers.

“Renovation works have since commenced at the secretariat.

He further pledged to ensure that the civil service continues to function very well, especially in the areas of promotion, training, and provision of modern working tools.

“I called on workers to give their best and restore the glory of the civil service, which includes dedication to duty, promptness, and adherence to the service rules and regulations – he said.

In his remarks, the Taraba State Head of Service, Dr. Hamidu Ahmed Kara said that the present administration of Governor Dr Agbu Kefas remains steadfast in it’s obligation to improve public service delivery through digitization to improve the welfare of all workers in the state.

“The Governor has improved public service delivery through digitization, while ensuring that no worker is left behind.

According to him, the government has priotized timely payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, better working conditions for public and civil servants, providing opportunity for career advancement and have institutionalized dialogue with labour unions as partners in development, not adversaries.

“This resulted to the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage in October 2023, and there after N70,000 in November 2024.

He urged workers in the state to reciprocate the government’s gesture through hard work and dedication to their duties.

“Let us continue to work together and give the present administration of Governor Dr Agbu Kefas the needed support to build a stronger and more prosperous state.

“The future Taraba we seek depends largely on our collective efforts, discipline, innovation, sacrifice and dedication to work – he said.

He used the medium to urge the organized labour to continue supporting the present administration in order to achieve its set objectives.

“Indeed, your hard work and support are the foundation of our hope and progress.

“Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to excellence, integrity and service to move the state forward – he added.

Speaking, the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Peter Jediel, said that the Theme for the 2025 “Proclaiming the civic space in the midst of economic hardship” is not only timely, but also clearly defines the current state of the nation.

“It is a clarion call to all stakeholders to ensure that citizens and civil society organizations actively participate and take their rightful places in public life.

According to him, the theme also presents an opportunity to reflect on the shrinking civic freedom, dwindling workers’ welfare and urgent need for collective action to restore dignity, voice and economic justice for the workforce and the masses in the state.

“Therefore, when workers are struggling economically, their forces may shift from the broader issues towards immediate survival needs and this can discourage civil activities and lead to the feeling of dis empowerment – he said.

On his part, the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sule Abasu appreciated the state Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, for prompt payment of salaries in the state.

“This is a testament to our Governor’s commitment to improving the lives of Taraba State workers. The minimum wage gesture has a positive impact on the economy of the state in general and the livelihood of workers in particular. We therefore commend the governor’s leadership qualities and vision for putting the needs of workers first.

He commended the Governor for resuming the payment of gratuities to pensioners through the approval of N1.5 billion.

“Pensioners who have received their gratuities are saying thank you, Mr. Governor, while those yet to be paid are hopeful to be paid in no distant time. We are saying thank you in high spirit and believing that financial decorum and transparency will manifest in the disbursement exercise, he said.

In his fraternal message, former chairman of NLC, Comrade Sambo Kwanchi, appeals to the state Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, to look into the pension of retired civil servants with a view to increasing it.

“Some of us are collecting N4,000 as pension, the government should invite labour veterans to ensure that their pension is increased. So I am appealing to the state Governor to consider increasing it, considering the cost of living.

“Come 2031, a class working comrade will be the Governor of the state, by the grace of God – he said.

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