Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,500 for workers in the state, effective immediately. This decision was made after receiving and signing the report from the Chairman of the Minimum Wage Committee, Elijah Evinemi, who is also the Kogi State Head of Service.

Governor Ododo emphasized that this decision was not a favor, but a right of the workers. “We are not doing anybody good but we are doing what we have signed to do in fulfillment of our promised,” he stated. He also highlighted his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, saying, “I cannot forget where I came from, I am a man from a humble background who became who I am by the grace of God and will therefore not use my position to oppress anyone but to better the lots of the people.”

The governor also announced the suspension of withholding tax from civil servants’ salaries for one year. “You people generously elected me as your governor and the resources of the state belong to you all, I am just your chief servant and I will ensure that the resources are allocated to all sectors fairly and equitably,” he assured.

Evinemi expressed gratitude to the governor for setting up the minimum wage committee. “We started with dialogue immediately the committee was set up by the governor on September 17, and today we are here to submit the report which we believe the governor will graciously look into and approve,” he said.

Comrade Gabriel Amari, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, praised Governor Ododo for his worker-friendly approach. “The state workers will continue to support the administration of the governor both at the state level and local government level,” Amari said. He also commended the seamless efforts of the implementation committee in arriving at the new minimum wage.

Governor Ododo acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the minimum wage for federal workers and expressed his commitment to following the President’s footsteps. “Whatsoever problem the country is facing today started long ago, but President Bola Tinubu is on board to correct the past mistakes made by previous leaders,” he said.

The governor urged labour leaders to continue leading with sincerity, enabling the state and union to work in harmony. “I am not bigger than any of you here, you only made the governor to serve you,” he concluded.