- Praises Osun State Government on Workers Welfare
The National Executive Council of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) on Friday declared its full support to the leadership of the union in Osun State on their decision to withdraw their services over the local government crisis in the state.
Declaring their support in a meeting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, Aliyu Haruna Kankara, the National President of the Union, who led other National Executive members and all the NULGE Presidents in the southwest on a solidarity visit to Osun, noted that the decision indicates that the union leadership cares about its members.
Kankara also praised the state government for prioritizing welfare of workers in the state, adding that the minimum wage table implemented in Osun is one of the best in the country .
He maintained that the Ademola Adeleke-led administration has changed the narrative in Osun, stating that the narrative before now is that there is no money.
He said, “We went round yesterday and saw the massive construction going on, we interacted with our members, and they all stated clearly that this government is doing well.
“The minimum wage table of Osun state is one of the best in the country. The narrative before your government is that there is no money, but since your government came, the narrative has changed.
“The Osun NLC Chairman have declared their support for the Governor of the state, we in Abuja also announce our support for your government, I believe that all the workers in Osun state are happy with the Governor.
“When I went round yesterday, everywhere was peaceful, so I see no reason anybody will want to influence us to change what is working. We stand firm by the decision of our state chapter, and nobody can change our decision, we are committed to the welfare of our workers, and we will not endanger their lives.”
Governor Ademola Adeleke who was represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi while appreciating NULGE National leadership who visited the Government Secretariat, assured the delegation of the Ademola Adeleke-led administration’s continuous commitment to the welfare of workers and the good people of Osun State.
“Today is another good day in the history of Osun State. The presence of NULGE President is significant because he cared about the safety and welfare of his members.
“His Excellency saw it coming, that’s why he instructed the newly elected Chairmen and councillors to stay away from local government secretariats to ensure peace reigns in Osun.
“The game plan was that after the swearing in ceremony of our duly elected Chairmen, they want to cause mayhem in the local government offices, set it ablaze, extend it to the state secretariat so that a state of emergency can be declared in Osun but God disappointed them.
“What they are waiting for is for NULGE to resume duty, so that they can force them to sign documents or files contrary to the appropriate way a local government should function, and that has also failed.
“Our Governor is a peace loving man, and that is why he directed the newly elected Chairmen to work from outside the secretariat so that there will be no hassle in the state.
“Our government will continue to do what is right for the people of Osun State, and we will ensure that the relative peace we are enjoying in Osun continues.”
Speaking earlier, Com Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Osun State Chapter stated that the the withdrawal of NULGE members is a decision taken to protect lives of its members as it also aligns with the commitment of Governor Adeleke to prioritize workers welfare adding that Governor Adeleke is fulfilling his campaign promises.
He noted that the NLC in Osun will declare its support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration at an upcoming event very soon.
“We had no choice but to withdraw our members to protect the lives and properties of our members. And, after that, we will continue to appreciate Mr. Governor that, he has never stop the salary of workers. And also, before the Governor came on board and during his electioneering campaign, he was specific about workers’ welfare. I want to say Mr. Governor has been doing excellently well.
“We’ve never had it this good in our dear state, we know what happened some years ago, where workers would receive promotion without financial backing, when Mr Govenor came on board, he made sure that everything is regularized. We can tell you now that, workers in the state are now enjoying promotion as and when due.
“Workers in osun State are saying this is our government.
“Concerning the withdrawal of services by our workers, we will start to defend our workers at all levels and by May 1, all workers in osun state will declare support for Governor Ademola Adeleke”, he noted.
