Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enabling the state to implement the new minimum wage, which was reflected in workers’ December salaries.
The Governor made the remark when hundreds of civil servants gathered at his office in Ado-Ekiti, dancing and singing in celebration of receiving the new wage, which was paid on the same day. Governor Oyebanji credited the increase to President Tinubu’s reforms, which allocated additional funds to states, making such payments possible.
Governor Oyebanji emphasized that without the reforms that increased state allocations, many state governments would have struggled to meet the new minimum wage obligations. He also hinted that if the state’s financial situation improves further, an increase in the minimum wage could be possible.
“I don’t think you should thank me,” the Governor said. “You worked hard and earned your pay. I thank you for showing appreciation, but the person you should thank, after God, is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What you are seeing today is the result of his reforms.”
He explained that these reforms led to a significant improvement in state allocations, enabling the government to pay the new minimum wage. The Governor praised President Tinubu for his vision and courage, noting that many had doubted the success of these reforms at the outset. However, Oyebanji believes the long-term benefits will prove the reforms to be in the best interest of all Nigerians.
“I urge you to continue supporting the President. N70,000 is just the minimum; we can aim higher as our situation improves. I’m confident that as these reforms bear fruit, we will be able to increase what comes to the state and raise your wages further,” Oyebanji said.
In his advice to workers, the Governor urged them to remain patient, cooperate with the government, and educate others on the importance of these reforms for Nigeria’s future.
Earlier, the workers, who were led to the governor’s office by some Permanent Secretaries, expressed their gratitude for the Governor’s commitment to ensuring they received fair compensation. The Permanent Secretaries, in particular, thanked the governor for including them in the new wage structure, ending years of exclusion from the minimum wage arrangements.
This development affirms Governor Oyebanji’s pledge to ensure that all categories of workers in the state benefit from the increased minimum wage.
It is worth noting that Governor Oyebanji had announced last month that the new minimum wage would take effect from December 1. Workers began receiving their bank alerts for the December salary on Tuesday.
