Akwa Ibom State Government is set to commence implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage for verified workers in its employ beginning from the January 2025 salaries, with arrears effective from November 2024.
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, announced while speaking at the 2025 Thanksgiving Service of the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
The governor commended the Akwa Ibom NUJ for cooperating with his administration as partners in the pursuit of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, by maintaining professionalism and patriotism in their reportage.
He admonished those in the character of demarketing the state to desist from to enhance greater collaboration towards the development of the state.
He particularly lauded the dignifying leadership provided by the current State Council Chairman of the Union in the State, Comrade Amos Etuk, and assured that the state government would fulfil its promise of completing the Union Secretariat during his tenure as chairman.
Etuk also announced the donation of an SUV as an official vehicle to the chairman and a saloon car each to the eleven members of the State Working Committee of the Union.
“About the issues of my workers, we knew certainly that we would pay workers N80,000 as we promised, but we only said that we should do verification. I have heard that the report has been submitted and will be presented to me tomorrow by the Head of Service.
“Once that report is presented, for those that were verified, we will pay from 1st November, this January. It does not need any letter from anybody. Don’t let anybody deceive you that they are the ones to persuade me to do you. If you haven’t been verified into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, I will not pay you, irrespective of threats of strike action. For those that have been verified, this January, I’ll pay you from 1st November. That has been our commitment and I don’t go back on the things I say”, the governor stated.
Recalling his administration’s efforts towards clearing the N97 billion backlog of gratuities and other arrears of entitlements of workers in the state, as well as other expression of goodwill towards Civil Servants in the State, Governor Eno reassured of his commitment to prioritize the welfare of the Akwa Ibom workforce, in keeping with his pact to reciprocate their support towards his emergence as governor.
In his words, “Akwa Ibom workers, we are on course. We have a pact with you because you supported us. We will work with you and ensure that your welfare is paramount and continues to be paramount because we know that you’re our backbone. Don’t let anyone mislead you
“I am yet to see a State Government in Nigeria that treats the workers the way I have done, i stand to be challenged”, Governor Eno asserted, describing it as misleading and pursuit of unnecessary self-aggrandisement, the incessant threats of industrial action by labour leaders in the State.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, in his thanksgiving speech at the event, expressed the gratitude of members, and leadership of the Union under his watch to God for the special grace to maintain the fourth estate of the realm, amid mounting challenges, also thanking Governor Umo for making the work for Journalists through his media-friendly disposition.
Comrade Amos Etuk said the hosting of the 2025 Thanksgiving Service in Ikot Ekpene Udo was the Union’s way of honouring the governor, and assured that Journalists in the state will continue to ensure a collaborative working relationship with the Umo Eno-led administration in the State and promote the aspirations of the ARISE Agenda.
