By Duchess Ifeoluwa

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening public service delivery, while pledging to address irregularities in the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) recruitment exercise.

The governor made the declaration on Friday at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, where he urged workers to align with ongoing reforms to boost productivity and enhance socio-economic outcomes in the state.

Aiyedatiwa described Workers’ Day as a historic reminder of the struggles of the global labour movement for fair wages, job security and social justice, noting that workers remain central to governance and development.

He commended their dedication and resilience, stressing that effective governance depends largely on their commitment to duty.

The governor also lauded organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and the Joint Negotiating Council, for sustaining industrial harmony through dialogue and cooperation with government.

Speaking on the theme, “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Aiyedatiwa acknowledged prevailing challenges driven by unemployment, poverty and criminality, adding that his administration had intensified security operations through the strengthening of the Amotekun Corps, including the recruitment of 500 additional personnel and provision of operational vehicles.

He disclosed that the government was also upgrading judicial infrastructure, including the ongoing construction of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Judiciary Complex, while maintaining commitment to judicial independence.

On poverty reduction, the governor highlighted ongoing empowerment initiatives targeting youths and women, including skills acquisition, digital training, agricultural support programmes, soft loans and the revitalisation of technical education institutions.

Addressing workers’ welfare, Aiyedatiwa said his administration had sustained cash-backed promotions without arrears, with the 2026 promotion exercise already underway.

He added that salaries and allowances were being paid regularly and promptly, while about 4,000 workers had been recruited across key sectors such as education, health, administration, legal services and agriculture.

He further stated that inherited gratuities, including those of 2018 and 2019 retirees, had been cleared, with a commitment to offset all outstanding obligations.

The governor also noted that 34 Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials had been appointed to strengthen the civil service structure.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed that salary arrears of staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, had been cleared, adding that a committee had been set up to oversee the implementation of the new minimum wage at the institution.

He said the state’s healthcare system was being expanded through the Oranghis Health Insurance Scheme and the construction of 250- and 500-bed hospitals, while investments in infrastructure, agriculture, electricity regulation and industrialisation were being pursued to stimulate job creation and economic growth.

The governor charged workers to demonstrate discipline, innovation and integrity, warning against inefficiency and delays in service delivery, and reiterated his administration’s guiding principle of timely and quality performance.

In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, commended the administration’s reforms, describing his remarks as valedictory as he approaches retirement.

He highlighted achievements including prompt promotions, regular salary payments, improved healthcare support and enhanced welfare for retirees.

Philip also praised the recruitment drive and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, noting that these had strengthened career progression and restored confidence in the civil service.

He further commended the conversion of long-serving contract staff at the Social and Community Development Agency into permanent employment.

Also speaking, the Controller of Labour and representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Olanike Mogboruko, said Workers’ Day remains a global platform for recognising the contributions of workers to national development.

She noted that insecurity and poverty continue to undermine decent work, calling for sustained collaboration among government, employers and labour.

Leaders of organised labour in the state, including the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ademola, and the TUC Chairman, Comrade Clement Fatuase, commended the governor’s efforts while urging further action to address security and economic challenges.

Meanwhile, the governor assured candidates affected by irregularities in last year’s SUBEB recruitment exercise that their appointments would be regularised.

He acknowledged complaints from applicants who were issued fake employment letters and pledged that qualified candidates would be formally absorbed into the system in line with due process.

Following the governor’s directive, the Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Dr Abike Bayo-Ilawole, asked affected candidates to report to the board’s office on Monday for proper documentation and completion of the recruitment process.