Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has assured workers that his administration will pay the 13th month salary to workers for the fifth year running, noting that workers will receive the payment before December 31.
This was in spite of the fact that the government had paid the December 2023 salary and December wage award of N25,000 to workers and N15,000 to pensioners.
Governor Makinde made the declaration on Sunday while speaking at the Oyo State’s 2023 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons Service, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, with the theme: “Unto us a child is born.”
The governor said his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers, infrastructure development and other critical sectors in the state.
Noting that whatever success his government had achieved was due to the contributions of members of his team and the civil servants, Makinde said: “To my team, I want to say thank you for your support throughout the year and even for the civil servants. Whatever we might have achieved was jointly achieved.
“For four years running, we paid 13th month salary. And again, we will pay the 13th month salary before the end of the year.”
The governor gave thanks to God for his re-election, reiterating that his victory in the election was not due to godfatherism, but because of his absolute trust in God.
He equally appreciated the fathers of the faith for their prayers and support towards his re-election, saying “I also want to take this opportunity to thank our fathers of faith in the state.”
In his exhortation, the Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Aba, acknowledged the unprecedented achievements recorded in the state under Governor Makinde.
He said Makinde was a progressive name and that his re-election into office came at a time when the state needed him the most, adding that Governor Makinde sharing the same birthday with Jesus Christ is symbolic.
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Ekiti State Government has said it would announce wage awards to alleviate the suffering of the workers, which was brought about by the removal of fuel subsidy, on or before December 31.
It warned civil servants not to sabotage government activities, saying the success or failure of any government was measured by the quality of its civil service.
The Head of Civil Service, Sunday Komolafe, who said this yesterday at a news conference organised in commemoration of the year 2023 Civil Service Week, added that the state was not lagging behind in the implementation of palliatives.
“Those that have made pronouncements have not started implementing it. Before they commence implementation, Ekiti would have made pronouncements. We have started discussion with organised labour. My office and the Ministry of Finance have started talking.
“I want to assure you that before the year runs out, we would have reached a conclusion, so that by the time other states are implementing, we will also be implementing. You know the status of Ekiti among the Southwest states.
“Apart from the fact that we are the last to be created, when it comes to allocation, you know the position of the state. That notwithstanding, the civil servants are going to hear something positive and they will know that this is the best the government can do for its workforce.
“As of today we have over 21,000 in the state workforce, the local governments’ workers already exceeded 20,000. So if you are providing palliatives you multiply by the total number of the workforce and then know how much is coming from the government. Don’t also forget the pensioners, when we are taking care of the workers, we can’t leave behind the pensioners.”