The President of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, has emphasized the need for good governance towards making life more meaningful for the masses.
Comrade Osifo, who made the remark at the TUC House in Abuja while receiving the Special Adviser on Labour, Comrade Onuh Edoka and his team,said the society would be a better place when leaders are responsive and accountable.
He, however,said the Congress was impressed by the innovation of the present administration in Kogi State, promising that a letter of commendation would soon be transmitted to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for appointing seasoned labour leaders into his government.
According to him, the crop of former labour leaders in the administration will be of immense advantage to the government and people of Kogi State.
He, however,admonished the appointees, who were former labour leaders,to see their new positions as a greater call to service, emphasizing that they should not forget their root.
Comrade Osifo urged the government of Kogi State to make the welfare of workers top most priority, noting that hunger is not a respecter of anyone.
The TUC President congratulated Comrade Onuh Edoka and his team for identifying with the TUC leadership, assuring them of necessary support, both to the union and the government of the state as Kogi is next to Kebbi State in terms of appointment of labour veterans into government.
Osifo urged the government not to follow the band wagon on the new minimum wage, adding that the need to pay workers’ living wage cannot be over emphasized, especially in the phase of the present economic realities.
Earlier, Comrade Edoka said the visit was to familiarize with the TUC leadership in Nigeria, based on the new narrative in the state.
Edoka maintained that the Governor Ododo had done well since assumption of office as shown through several interventions.
He explained that Kogi State government had been paying 30,000 minimum wage as approved by the immediate past administration and urged everyone to hence forth see Kogi state from a positive perspective.
The governor’s aide assured that the team would live above board, based on the favourable environment being created by the Governor.
Report indicates that the team also visited the President General of NULGE, Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji who also sued for improved welfare for the workforce through the instrumentality of the their offices.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
