Abiodun tasks clerics, parents on youth immorality, others

• We ’ve paid N8.4 billion workers’ deductions, loans, says governor
• Promises to look into non-payment of leave allowances

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has felicitated with Muslims on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri.

Abiodun in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, yesterday, however, enjoined Muslim faithful to continue to hold on to the piety and spiritual elevation attained during the fasting.

He noted that though the country is passing through some challenges, Muslims deserve to celebrate the end of the month of mercy and forgiveness.

The governor, who however, urged the people to celebrate with moderation and ensure they share with the less privileged, further urged them to pray for peace in the country and the state, assuring that his administration will continue to create conducive atmosphere to enhance economic development and growth.

Reiterating his position during the Ramadan lecture with the theme: “Get Rich Quick Syndrome: Refocusing the Nigerian Youths for a greater future,” Abiodun said it is most unfortunate that youths of today prefer to cut corners to get things done quickly.

He charged government, parents, guardians, school administrators, religious leaders and other stakeholders to chart a course to harness the raw energies of youths towards positive enterprise.

He also charged Imams and Alfas to preach and counsel youths on the dictates of the faith.

Meanwhile, the governor said his administration had paid N8.4 billion out of the N14.4 billion owed the state workers from May 2019 to March 2022 from deductions and loans and that efforts were on to settle the outstanding balance of N6 billion.

Abiodun, who disclosed this yesterday at the Workers’ Day celebration held at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, said the state government would look into the non-payment of leave allowances spanning seven years as well as issues surrounding contributing pension law.

He commended workers for contributing to the success of the administration and appreciated the efforts of those who had served the state meritoriously in the past, assuring that his administration had begun paying gratuity arrears with the release of N500 million every quarter, adding that N2.5 billion had been released so far to pay the senior citizens.

The governor, who spoke on the theme of this year’s Workers’ Day: “Labour, Politics and the Quest for Good Governance and Development in Nigeria,” said workers had been non-partisan and professional in discharging their responsibilities.

He, therefore, urged them to be mindful of the liberty and privilege of the democratic governance that the country now enjoys.

The State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Akeem Lasisi, in his address, regretted that Nigerians are going through turbulent times as there are insecurity, economic instability and general poor welfare for the citizens, declaring that “Nigeria is currently bleeding.”

He decried the non-availability of power supply despite a huge amount spent on turn-around maintenance as well as the current strike by university teachers.

ALSO, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Emmanuel Bankole, stressed the need for government at all levels to always consider workers’ welfare as priority.