Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu
In commemoration of the 2025 Workers day celebration, the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Hon. John Ogbodo, has extolled the resilience and support of the local government workforce to his administration.
In a press statement titled “In Pursuit of Excellence” and signed by Ogbodo, he lauded the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), describing his relationship with them as “robust”.
Explaining that his administration’s interventions in the welfare of workers were “in pursuit of excellence – to groom a smart workforce, ready for the future of work”, he pledged that the support of the council’s workers will not go unrewarded.
The full statement reads:
IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE – Being Remarks by the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area on the Commemoration of the 2025 International Workers’ Day
Thursday, May 1 (Eke), 2025.
My Fellow Workers of Nkanu West,
Today, many nations and governments, with the International Labour Organization (ILO), celebrate their workforce. Today calls for the remembrance of workers’ contributions in the development of a wholesome, working system. As a local government administration, we are not left behind in praising our indomitable workforce.
We are pleased by the sacrifice that our local government workers make. We are pleased that our workers have stood behind the government of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and, by extension, the Nkanu West Local Government Area. As a government, we are glad that we enjoy a robust working relationship with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). We are glad that our local government area is never a ghost town, irrespective of the day of the week.
On our part, we have not wavered. We have ensured that salaries are paid as and when due and that those with challenges due to verifications, receive prompt attention and resolution. We have ensured payment of the N80,000 minimum wage approved by our pacesetting Governor. We have ensured that our workforce fits into today’s tech-compliant world by enrolling, at no cost to them, all eligible workers into the Emerging Technology Skills for Africa Program (ETSAP). We have done these in pursuit of excellence – to groom a smart workforce, ready for the future of work.
As we all reflect on the theme of this year’s May Day celebration in Nigeria, “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” you have my word – we will not rest. We will ensure that your understanding, patience, resilience and support in driving the developmental agenda of the local government do not go unrewarded.
Let me also ask you to be determined to do more. We cannot fully achieve our 2025 “Budget of Hope” without the cooperation of all civil servants. To give us that glorious tomorrow, all hands must be on deck.
On this most important day dedicated to celebrating workers, please accept my hearty congratulations and the assurances of my commitment to your welfare.
God bless Nkanu West.
Indeed, our Tomorrow is Here.
Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo,
Executive Chairman, Nkanu West LGA.