Ahmed Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi State, said he understands the difficulties workers face, describing himself as one of them during Workers' Day celebrations on Friday. He was represented by his deputy, Joel Oyibo Salifu, at the event where he stated that Workers' Day is a moment to reflect on hard work, patriotism and unity. Ododo claimed his administration has prioritised worker welfare through prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions, timely promotions, and payment of gratuities to retirees. He said efforts have also been made to maintain industrial harmony through engagement with organised labour and investing in capacity building for civil servants.
The governor said civil service reforms were carried out with a clear vision to create a competent and efficient workforce capable of delivering quality service and embracing innovation. He added that Kogi State is building systems aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's national reforms, which, according to him, have made it possible to sustainably support workers' wages and welfare. Ododo credited Tinubu's administration for being impactful for workers and urged support for ongoing national efforts toward unity and prosperity. He reiterated his commitment to building a productive, people-focused Kogi State with a civil service that serves as a model of excellence.
Ododo claims to know where workers' shoes pinch while celebrating reforms he has not detailed beyond general promises. He cites salary payments and promotions as proof of worker-focused governance, yet offers no data on arrears cleared or current timeliness. His alignment with Tinubu's national reforms assumes their success without evidence specific to Kogi workers' lived experience. The speech frames empathy as policy, but workers' realities depend on verifiable delivery, not symbolic solidarity.
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