Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the sum of N77,000 as the minimum wage for the lowest worker in the state, and the payment takes immediate effect.
This decision was revealed after a meeting of the state government led by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of the organized labour in Ogun State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, to discuss the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Talabi said the meeting was at the instance of Governor Abiodun, who he stated has directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 starting from the month of October.
He stressed that the Abiodun-led administration meant well for its citizens and has proactively taken steps to further ameliorate the suffering of the people.
The SSG added that the governor has advised the organised private sector to take a cue from the policy, and will set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is shortchanged.
On his part, the state NLC chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco, appreciated the governor saying that while some states are paying N70,000, N70,250 or less, Ogun is the highest.
In the same vein, Comrade Akeem Lasisi of the TUC and his counterpart, Comrade Isa Olude of the JNC, commended the government for being worker-friendly, while they noted that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other matters will be announced after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
In his reaction, Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the approval of the generous minimum wage for workers underscores the responsiveness and sensitivity of the governor and the government to the plight of the workers and the general populace of the state.
Onasanya expressed optimism that the gestures by the government will further boost the morale of workers in committing themselves to the implementation of the government’s policies.
