The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu as the top-most worker-friendly governor among his peers nationwide.
The National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated this at the opening of the meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) and the National Executive Council of the NLC in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital on Monday.
Wabba also acknowledged that Governor Bagudu has facilitated the prevalence of peace and security in Kebbi State which attracted the NLC to converge on the land of equity for the NEC meeting under an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility.
He also commended the Kebbi Governor for making workers partners in progress that led to high labour productivity among the workforce.
The NLC President recalled that Governor Bagudu visited the headquarters of the NLC in Abuja during which he made it possible for workers to receive agricultural loan, saying that the Governor has performed creditably in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the National Food Security Council.
Wabba remarked that Bagudu was an exemplary democrat who practiced true democracy, especially in relationship with workers.
The NLC leader was similarly elated about the action of the governor and the people of Kebbi state to put forward a seasoned labour leader, Dr. Nasiru Idris, as the governorship candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections.
Wabba described Nasiru Idris as capable, and trustworthy for the position of governor, urging all workers in both government and private sector to support him and ensure victory at the poll.
He made it clear that part of the reason for choosing Kebbi state to hold the NEC meeting was to show solidarity to the candidacy of Nasiru Idris towards becoming the Chief Executive of the State in 2023.
In similar recognition of his goodness to civil servants, the Kebbi State NLC Chairman, Comrade Umar Halidu, acknowledged that Bagudu was the first governor to approve the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage to workers in the state.
He also said that the governor has maintained regular payment of salary to workers as well as paid outstanding gratuity of 100 percent to retired workers as at December, 2021.
Halidu also said that he was grateful to Governor Bagudu for giving directive to stop statutory deductions from workers’ salaries during the Covid -19 pandemic in 2019 and thanked him for constructing 500 housing units of three-bedroom for workers.
The NLC Chairman commended Governor Bagudu for sponsoring students of Kebbi state origin to India for higher studies which has been beneficial to the teeming youths in the state.
Halidu made it clear that Bagudu deserved praise for achieving industrial and agricultural revolution in the state and Nigeria, leading to the attainment of rice surplus in the country.
He urged the governor to sustain the trend and continue to improve workers’ welfare where necessary including health workers and upward review of pension.
The Kebbi State NLC Chairman endorsed the candidacy of Dr. Nasiru Idris for governorship, pledging that the workforce would provide the desired support towards his victory.
In an address, the acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena, thanked the NLC Chairman for enumerating achievements of Governor Bagudu for the welfare of serving and retired civil servants.
The Head of Service commended the NLC for giving Kebbi state hosting opportunity for its NEC meeting for the first time and thanked Governor Bagudu for providing the necessary moral and material support for the gathering.
Bena further commended the congress and entire workforce in Kebbi state for maintaining peaceful relationship with the government devoid of labour crisis.
He said the incumbent administration under Governor Bagudu since coming to power, has placed priority on the payment of salaries of workers at state and local government levels as well as staff of local government education authorities.
In addition, the government has been up-to-date in the payment of gratuity and pension to all categories of retirees, assuring that arrangements have been concluded to pay those who disengaged from service in 2022.
The Head of Service acknowledged other sectors that received premium attention by Governor Bagudu, especially health, education and agriculture, that earned him double awards of excellence.
Bena also congratulated Bagudu for being honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, and Public Service Award by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.
Addressing the gathering, the APC governorship candidate for Kebbi state, former National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT and National Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Nasiru Idris Gwandu thanked the leadership of the NLC and other workers for their solidarity to him.
Gwandu commended Governor Bagudu for his remarkable performance in governance and excelling in uplifting the welfare of workers.
Opening the NEC meeting, Governor Bagudu urged labour movement to be actively involved in the political development of the nation, acknowledging the support of the congress towards the success of Idris as incoming governor of Kebbi state during the 2023 elections.
Bagudu also announced that plans were underway to effect the payment of leave grant to workers before the end of the month.
He added that a committee has been set up to work out implementation modalities for 65 years retirement age for workers.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the welfare of workers and maintaining cordiality with labour unions.
The NLC Secretary-General, Comrade Emmanuel Ukpo, who delivered the vote of thanks, commended the government and people of Kebbi state for providing conducive atmosphere and warm reception to participants to the NEC meeting.
Among the personalities at the meeting were Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Colonel Sama’ila Yombe Dabai (rtd), former Governor of the State, Alhaji Sa’idu Usman Nasamu Dakingari, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, Alhaji Ahmad Magaji Kontagora, the Rector, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Dr. Usman Sani Tunga, the Emir of Gwandu, represented by the Waziri of Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, the Emir of Argungu, represented by the Kundudan Kabi, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, the representative of the Grand Qadi of the state, Qadi Muhammad Sani Umar Randali, heads of security agencies and other government functionaries.
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