Kogi is in safe hand with Edoka appointment – NLC President, Joe Ajero insist

By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajero on Monday said that Kogi State is already in safe hands with the appointment of a labour leader, Onuh Edoka as the Special Adviser on Labour Matters by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Ajero made the remark while addressing a team of labour leaders, led by the Special Adviser on Labour Matters to Kogi state government, Onuh Edoka during a courtesy visit that took place at his office on Monday.

He noted that leadership was all about having the right persons beside you, saying the appointment of past labour leaders in the state would add impetus to the delivery of effective service through democracy dividends.

The NLC President said he was happy with the reports coming in from Kogi State, explaining that it will be a new era for the people and particularly the people of the State.

Ajero commended Comrade Onuh Edoka and his team for the initiative, noting that it was the first time in history for NLC national leadership to receive such delegation from a state.

He however, urged the team to remain steadfast in the pursuit of workers welfare, emphasizing that they should maintain their integrity at all times.

Earlier in a remark, the leader of the delegation and Special Adviser on Labour to Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka said the team was in the office to showcase the political will of the Governor who has commenced on an impressive note.

Edoka explained that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in his wisdom, has so far appointed about seven former labour leaders in his administration, describing the act as unprecedented.

The Special Adviser said with the positive development, Kogi State would move faster in terms of development.

He appealed for adequate synergy with the NLC National, adding that his office will.continue to initiate ideas that will oil the wheel of progress and commended Joe Ajero for his purposeful leadership.

Other members of the team are Special Adviser on Agriculture, Otaru Abdulkabir, Special Adviser on Information and Communications, Jacob Edi, Senior Special Assistant on Civil Service matters, Tade Adeyemi and a Permanent Secretary, Ranti Matthew Ojo.

The rest are the Kogi State NLC Chairman, Gabriel Amari, his TUC counterpart, Tijani Ahmed, Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Olusegun Alemeru and Director Labour in the office of the Head of Civil Service, Rachael Usman

He mentioned some labour friendly interventions already carried out under the present administration of Gov. Ododo to include prompt payment of salaries to workers, Payment of 100% to pensioners in both the State and Local Government level, Implementation of 35% hazard allowance to all categories of State Health Workers.

others are; Payment of six (6) months Health Insurance Scheme for all State workers to the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency as take off for the workforce, Provision of Transformer and the linking of the State NLC Secretariat to 33kva line and High improvement in the salaries of Local Government Workers to 90% among others.