Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday charged workers in the state to ensure that ongoing government reforms translate into enhanced productivity and tangible socio-economic benefits for citizens.
He gave the charge at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, security and sustainable development.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said Workers’ Day serves as a reminder of the historic struggles of the labour movement since 1886 for improved wages, job security and social justice, stressing that workers remain central to national development.
He commended their resilience and dedication, noting that effective governance is dependent on their commitment to duty.
He also lauded the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Joint Negotiating Council and other labour bodies for sustaining industrial harmony through constructive engagement with government.
According to him, the administration’s OUR EASE Agenda places workers at the core of governance, describing labour as co-architects of development rather than mere stakeholders.
Speaking on the theme, “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” the governor acknowledged prevailing security and economic challenges driven by unemployment, poverty and criminality.
He disclosed that the state had intensified security operations through the strengthening of the Amotekun Corps, including the recruitment of 500 additional personnel and the provision of operational vehicles to security agencies.
He added that government was also deepening inter-agency collaboration to enhance intelligence sharing and improve crime prevention and response.
On the justice sector, he said government was upgrading judicial infrastructure, including the ongoing construction of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Judiciary Complex, while reaffirming commitment to judicial independence.
He further stated that poverty alleviation efforts were being pursued through youth and women empowerment programmes, skills acquisition, digital training, agricultural support schemes, soft loans and the revitalisation of technical education institutions.
On workers’ welfare, the governor said his administration had sustained cash-backed promotions with no outstanding arrears, with the 2026 promotion exercise already in progress.
He added that salaries and allowances were being paid promptly and consistently.
He disclosed that about 4,000 workers had been recruited across key sectors, including education, health, administration, legal services and agriculture, while inherited gratuities, including those of 2018 and 2019 retirees, had been cleared with a firm commitment to settle all outstanding arrears.
He also announced the appointment of 34 Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials to strengthen the civil service structure.
Governor Aiyedatiwa further disclosed that salary arrears of staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, had been cleared, while a committee had been constituted to oversee implementation of the new minimum wage in the institution.
He said healthcare delivery had been expanded through the Oranghis Health Insurance Scheme and the ongoing construction of 250- and 500-bed hospitals across the state, adding that investments in infrastructure, agriculture, electricity regulation, rural development and industrialisation were targeted at job creation and economic expansion.
The governor urged workers to demonstrate discipline, innovation and integrity in service delivery, warning against mediocrity, delay and inefficiency in the public service and restated the guiding principle: “Don’t deliver short, don’t deliver late.”
He called for strengthened synergy between government and labour towards building a more productive and prosperous Ondo State, while commending workers for their sacrifices and contributions.
In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, commended the administration’s reforms in the public service, describing his remarks as valedictory as he approaches statutory retirement.
He said the government had ensured prompt promotions, regular salary payments, improved healthcare support and enhanced welfare for retirees, noting that salary reviews had been implemented beyond national benchmarks.
Philip also commended the recruitment of thousands of workers, describing it as unprecedented within a short period and lauded the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, which he said had strengthened career progression and restored confidence in the civil service.
He further praised the conversion of long-serving contract staff at the Social and Community Development Agency into permanent employment after nearly two decades of service.
He added that Permanent Secretaries appointed under the administration were being supported with business empowerment packages upon retirement.
In her remarks, the Controller of Labour and representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Olanike Mogboruko, conveyed the Minister’s goodwill to Nigerian workers.
She said Workers’ Day remains a global platform for recognising the contributions of workers to economic growth, national development and social stability.
She noted that the 2026 theme highlights the twin challenges of insecurity and poverty, which continue to undermine productivity and decent work, explaining that insecurity disrupts economic activity while poverty erodes dignity and opportunity.
She defined decent work as encompassing fair wages, safe working conditions, social protection and respect for workers’ rights, calling for sustained social dialogue among government, employers and labour.
On their parts, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ondo State Council, led by Comrade Ademola and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ondo State Council, led by Comrade Clement Fatuase, commended efforts of the governor and urged further actions on issues of security and economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa has assured candidates affected by irregularities in last year’s primary school recruitment exercise conducted by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) that their appointments will be regularised and that they will be formally captured into the system.
He gave the assurance while addressing some of the affected applicants on the sideline of the May Day celebration, where he acknowledged the complaints of candidates who were issued fake employment letters and reaffirmed government’s commitment to addressing the anomaly.
He said the affected applicants would be duly absorbed, stressing that the process would follow established procedures to guarantee proper documentation and formal inclusion into the system.
Following the governor’s remarks, the Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Dr Abike Bayo-Ilawole, instructed the affected candidates to report at the board’s office on Monday, assuring that due process would be strictly observed in concluding both their recruitment and documentation.
