By Muslimat Itopa
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has promised to embark on massive recruitment into the state civil service.
Governor Ododo made the promise on Tuesday when he received leaders of organized labour in the state at the Government House, Lokoja.
The Governor said his administration places the welfare of civil servants at the centre of its policies, assuring workers that their demands, including outstanding promotions, are receiving attention.
Governor Ododo explained that the planned recruitment exercise would be massive but well organised, stressing that qualified young people would be given opportunities to join the state civil service.
He also assured workers that his administration would maintain a professional civil service where appointments and employment would be based on merit, rather than political considerations.
The Governor commended organized labour for its partnership with the government and its efforts to sensitise workers on security awareness and the need to remain vigilant.
He requested an interface with civil servants across the state to enable him engage directly with them on issues affecting their welfare and the development of the state.
Governor Ododo immediately directed the leadership of organized labour to schedule a date for the proposed meeting.
As part of his support for the labour movement, the Governor announced the donation of three buses to organized labour in the state.
He said the vehicles were intended to ease the movement of labour leaders and enable them attend meetings, conferences and other official engagements within and outside the state.
Governor Ododo also called on civil servants to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing the President’s achievements across various sectors of the Nigerian economy as deserving of support and appointment of Kogi sons and daughters iat the federal level
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Onu Edoka, said Governor Ododo’s gesture towards organized labour was a fulfilment of promises made to workers.
Edoka, who described the Governor as a workers-friendly leader, said the donation of the three buses would ease transportation challenges faced by labour unions in the state.
He explained that the vehicles would enable labour leaders to attend meetings and reach their members across the state without the burden of constantly hiring vehicles.
According to him, the Governor’s decision to hold regular meetings with organized labour demonstrates his commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with workers.
Comrade Edoka therefore appealed to civil servants to continue to show understanding and patience with the government, noting that salaries are being paid promptly while other demands, including promotion implementation, are being addressed.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Doctor Gabriel Amari, said the meeting provided an opportunity for the Governor to explain the status of some of the demands, including those already being implemented, those nearing completion and others awaiting final action.
He commended Governor Ododo for providing vehicles for the NLC, TUC and Joint Negotiating Council, describing the gesture as unprecedented in the history of organized labour in the state.
The NLC Chairman expressed optimism that workers would soon receive positive responses to some of their outstanding demands, particularly promotions.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Tijani Ahmed Suleiman, appreciated Governor Ododo and the NLC leadership for their efforts towards maintaining unity among the various labour unions in the state.
The meeting brought together leaders of different labour unions and associations in Kogi State.
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