Sanwo-Olu increases monthly running cost for primary schools

• Assures labour unions physical possession of promised housing estate land
• NLC seeks increase in workers’ salaries, says minimum wage not sustainable
• Workers endorse Sanwo-Olu for second term

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, approved the increase of monthly running cost for primary schools across the state to improve working environment.

Sanwo-Olu, who announced this at the 2022 International Labour Day celebration, did not mention how much would be added to the N20,000 monthly running cost being paid to manage the schools.

He said he did not want to let the cat out of the bag.

According to him, discussion on the increment had already been concluded.

The governor said the labour unions would take physical possession of the lands donated to them last year.

He, however, appreciated all workers for their contribution to the development of the state, promising to ensure harmonious industrial relations.

While the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponle, appreciated the retirees and workers for their dedication, resilience and commitment to excellence service delivery to the state, Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments, Training and Pensions, Abiodun Bamgboye, said the government had continued to embarked on series of projects to meet the needs of workers.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State chapter, Funmilayo Sesi-Akinsanmi, while thanking the Sanwo-Olu-led administration for its efforts and support to workers who would in turn reciprocate the gesture, urged the state government to continue to address security issues, gender-based violence and sexual harassment to make the work environment safe and conducive.

Sesi-Akinsanmi lamented that high cost of living, hike in transportation fares, unstable prices of market commodities and the challenges of COVID-19, among others, had eroded the minimum wage.

She said that the minimum wage was no longer sustainable to meet the current needs.

On his part, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Lagos State chapter, Olugbenga Ekundayo, thanked the stakeholders for their contributions and promotion of the state civil service, saying labour would continue to play a significant role in reshaping Nigeria’s democracy.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, who was represented by Controller of Labour, Nnamdi Enuah, urged workers to continue to support the federal and state governments.

Sessi and her Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Ekundayo, along with leaders of trade union organisations, endorsed Governor Sanwo-Olu on behalf of millions of informal and formal workers in the State during the International Workers’ Day held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan on Sunday.

They said they decided to support Governor Sanwo-Olu’s re-election because he is a worker-friendly governor and has performed very well to deliver on his campaign promises in line with the administration’s THEMES developmental agenda.

The workers through different unions affirmed their support and determination to return Governor Sanwo-Olu during the 2023 gubernatorial elections, displaying signs of 4 + 4 by raising four fingers with both hands during their march past, shouting “4 + 4,” “Sanwo-Olu lekan si” and “Sanwo-Olu for second term,” among other slogans.

The NLC chairman said Lagos workers decided to endorse Governor Sanwo-Olu for a second term because he has performed beyond expectation, considering his remarkable achievements in different sectors in the State.

She said: “On behalf of the workers in Lagos who represent more than 50 per cent of the voting population, we hereby support your second term in office. We the workers are supporting you because you are the hope of the masses. Workers in Lagos stand with you.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, you did not sack workers and even gave palliatives. Even after the pandemic, you are still employing workers. You were also prompt in paying salaries. This is not like that other states. Therefore, anywhere you go, we shall stand with you.”

The Chairman of TUC, also assured Governor Sanwo-Olu of workers’ support in the forthcoming 2023 governorship election, saying the workers have benefitted a lot from Governor Sanwo-Olu and they know who to support and vote for during the February 11, 2023 year governorship elections.

The labour leaders thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling some of the promises made to the workers last year, among which were the allocation of land for the building of the secretariat of Lagos State chapters of NLC and TUC; donation of 17 official vehicles to unions and allocation of 10 hectares of land at Idera, in Ibeju-Lekki and Akarakumo in Badagry, for the construction of Workers Villages, to which members will be able to subscribe through pocket-friendly mortgage schemes.

Sanwo-Olu during the event presented the title documents of a parcel of land of sufficient size in the Alausa Central Business District on which the NLC and TUC will build befitting Lagos State headquarters.

Sanwo-Olu, who commended the workers for their contributions to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria at large, said his administration’s development agenda is anchored on the existence of a skilful, productive, competitive and adaptive human resource base.

“To this end, we will shortly be ensuring that a twelve-member delegation drawn from our Labour leaders and the Lagos State Government attends the forthcoming International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention in Geneva, to further expose them to international best labour practices,” he promised the workers.

Speaking on the theme of the Year 2022 Workers Day celebration, “Labour politics and new quest for good governance and development in Nigeria,” the Governor urged them to continue to support the government to deliver the dividends of democracy.

“As we begin preparations for the next general elections, in our State and the country at large, we must keep in mind the robust growth and progress of the last two decades and rededicate ourselves to building the future of our dreams.”

Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola in his goodwill message, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for providing enabling environment for the growth and development of workers in the state.

Muri-Okunola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments, Training and Pensions, Abiodun Bamgboye, said the government had continued to embark on a series of projects to meet the needs of workers in the state.

Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponle, who saluted retirees and the workers for their dedication, resilience and commitment to excellent service delivery to the state, said the present administration placed a lot of premium on the welfare of workers.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, who was represented by the Controller of Labour, Nnamdi Enuah, said the role of labour is pivotal to national development and therefore urged workers to continue to support federal and state governments.