**NLC Commends Administration, Presents 11-Key Demands
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State on Thursday paid tribute to workers across the state, describing them as the driving force of development and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improved welfare, institutional reforms, and a more productive civil service.
Speaking at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, Ododo said his government remained focused on building a workforce-driven system anchored on efficiency, professionalism, and innovation.
“I stand before you not just as your Governor, but as your Chief Servant, committed to leading from the front as we build a productive, prosperous and people-focused Kogi State,” he said.
He noted that ongoing civil service reforms were aimed at strengthening capacity, improving service delivery, and ensuring that workers are equipped for modern governance demands.
Ododo highlighted key interventions of his administration, including prompt salary and pension payments, regular promotions, settlement of retirees’ gratuities, and sustained engagement with labour unions to maintain industrial harmony.
He also disclosed investments in training and capacity-building programmes designed to enhance productivity and adaptability within the public service.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, the governor said Kogi State had aligned with federal policies aimed at strengthening wage structures and ensuring long-term sustainability in the public sector.
According to him, the state is also prioritising infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and industrial growth as part of efforts to position Kogi as a production hub.
Speaking on behalf of organised labour, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi State, Comrade Gabriel Amari, praised the administration for what he described as “people-centred policies” that have helped stabilise industrial relations in the state.
He noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,” reflects current socio-economic realities affecting workers nationwide, stressing the need for a safer and more enabling environment for productivity.
Amari commended the government’s security interventions, including surveillance deployments, provision of operational vehicles, and collaboration with traditional institutions.
He also lauded the administration for consistent salary payments, implementation of promotions for 2023 and 2024, pension harmonisation, road infrastructure expansion, education investments, and the ongoing development of the Kogi International Airport.
However, the labour leader presented 11 demands to the state government, including the reinstatement of 441 civil servants cleared after screening by the Civil Service Commission, recruitment into critical sectors, intervention in health and education, settlement of gratuity arrears, and a housing scheme to address accommodation challenges in Lokoja.
The event ended with renewed commitments from both government and labour to deepen engagement for improved welfare and productivity in the state civil service.
