Category: News

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has reiterated his administration’ s Commitment to engender a work environment that will empower workers to thrive.

He stated this in a message for the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium.
He said he has introduced a reward system to ensure excellence, punctuality and professionalism

“As your Governor, I remain resolute in my pledge to prioritize your welfare, uphold the dignity of labour, and ensure that the civil and public service systems are not only efficient but reflective of equity, productivity, and innovation. Guided by our People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, we are committed to engender a work environment that empowers you to thrive, grow, and deliver quality service to the people of Ebonyi State.

“As you all know, we have already taken concrete steps to improve prompt salary payments, expand opportunities for capacity development and provide conducive workspaces, and review outdated administrative structures. These efforts are not just promises—they are responsibilities that we are actively executing. Currently, we are not owing pensions and gratuities. We are putting in place, a system that clears your gratuity less than one hour after exiting our service as a retiree. This, you can agree with, will reduce the risks of running around to process your retirement”.

He called on workers to reciprocate the gestures by discharging their duties effectively.

In a joint address of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress presented by Prof. Ogugua Egwu, the unions expressed gratitude to the State Governor for what he described as workers friendly disposition.

According to the NLC Chairman, “We in Ebonyi State must tell a different story. We must express gratitude to the Governor of Ebonyi State who has magnanimously given our dear State an enviable face lift through his People’s Charter of Needs mantra”.

…as Mbah reiterates continued better workers’ welfare, economic emancipation

The organised labour, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Enugu State has extolled Governor Peter Mbah for the improved and better working conditions of workers in the state, describing him as a “promise keeper” and “the most worker-friendly governor in Nigeria.”

This was as the governor renewed his commitment to the welfare and working conditions of workers, as well as continued implementation of policies aimed at economic emancipation and poverty eradication in the state.

The workers gave Mbah the commendations through the Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Benneth Asogwa, during the 2025 Workers’ Day Celebration at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, on Thursday.

The workers, who expressed their gratitude to the governor for transforming the state and turning Enugu into a modern smart state within two years of his administration, insisted that Enugu workers were the most favoured in the country as a result of deliberate efforts of the governor to redefine the face of governance.

“Your Excellency, our major task in Enugu State since you assumed office has been to count our numerous blessings. We are proud to say that Your Excellency says what he does and does what he says,” the NLC chairman noted.

Describing Mbah as “Mr Project,” who was transforming Enugu into a modern state through his governance philosophy of business unusual, Nwigbo said in addition to the numerous projects that had been completed and the ongoing ones, the governor had also prioritised the welfare packages of workers in the state.

While speaking on the theme of this year’s May Day – Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship, Comrade Asogwa hailed the governor for his clearly defined leadership model which has made him the “Face of New Enugu”.

“Your exponential capacity in transforming Enugu state has distinguished you among other governors in Nigeria. You have established a leadership model that has set unequalled benchmark for the assessment of good governance in Nigeria.

Asogwa, who lamented the biting economic hardship and the precarious situation of the masses in the country, said the case was different in Enugu as Mbah’s proactive approach to governance was impacting positively on the standard of living of the people across the state.

“Your Excellency, the workers are very grateful for your resolve to redefine governance in our state by proactively taking steps aimed at placing Enugu in the frontline of reforms that cut across all sectors and trickle down to the grassroots,” he added.

In their separate remarks, they explained that the N80,000 minimum wage approved and being implemented by the governor, which was above the national minimum wage of N70,000, as well as the harmonisation of the salaries of both state and local government workers has significantly improved the lives of workers.

According to the organised union, the approval of payment of the long abandoned gratuity of retirees, clearing of pension arrears and regular pension payments, the ongoing 260 Smart Green Schools and 260 Smart Type-2 PHCs, transformation of the transport sector, revitalisation of dormant infrastructure and assets, completion of the International Conference Centre, procurement of the CNG buses and tractors for agriculture, the 260 farm estate initiative, the launch of Enugu Air in the aviation industry, construction of hundreds of roads in urban and rural areas, and the outstanding improvement of security in the state had endeared the governor to their hearts.

Reacting, Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Barr. Victor Udeh, said the administration was deliberate about creating wealth, employment, better working environment, functional systems and institutions that would elevate the economic status of workers and also make them more efficient and productive.

He commended the workers for their services to the state and the public which were adding to nation-building and wealth of nation.

“For us, however, everyday is Workers’ Day because we strongly believe that our greatest asset lies in human resources. It’s a very auspucious moment to thank Enugu State workers, the leadership of the various unions for their toil and sacrifice. Labour creates wealth; there can never be any doubt about that. The best way to acknowledge that labour creates wealth is by ensuring our workforce, which creates the wealth that oils the wheel of government, is sufficiently motivated,” he added.

According to him, the administration would never relent in the commitment which it has always demonstrated in terms of workers’ welfare, prompt payments of salaries and pensions, including gratuities already commenced, and approval of their promotions and conversions.

“When our Smart Green Schools fully open this September, they will represent a significant economic relief for workers whose children and wards will be enrolled in the schools sited in all the 260 wards in the state. We have recorded significant milestones in the area of security, ending the illegal sit-at-home order by non-state actors, provision of security in all nooks and cranies of the state, payment of palliatives even after the federal government had stopped, payment of N80,000 minimum wage across the state down to the local government levels; and payment of gratuity upon retirement from state public service”, he stated.

Charging the workers to continue to be dedicated by putting their best for optimal performance, the governor promised to address some of the technical glitches in the state verification process, adding that the verification exercise was to ensure efficiency in the system and also rid the state of corruption and bad eggs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja for Katsina State on Friday for a two-day official visit.

According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Tinubu will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state.

While Tinubu will commission the Katsina Agricultural Mechanized Centre and a 24KM dual carriageway completed by Governor Dikko Umar Radda, Onanuga noted that the President will also attend the wedding of the daughter of Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina.

The statement reads in full:

PRESIDENT TINUBU EMBARKS ON TWO-DAY VISIT TO KATSINA STATE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja for Katsina State on Friday for a two-day official visit.

During the visit, the President will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state.

He will commission the Katsina Agricultural Mechanized Centre and a 24KM dual carriageway completed by Governor Dikko Umar Radda.

President Tinubu will also honour an invitation to attend the wedding of the governor’s daughter before returning to Abuja.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)

May 1, 2025

Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated a five man board of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA), with a charge for the agency to complete the negotiations with the EEDC and acquire the Umuahia ringed – fence.

Inaugurating the members of the board at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti vowed to pull Umuahia from the national grid, saying that, he is determined to ensure that power problem is solved.

“We are at the final stages of negotiations with EEDC, the idea for us is to acquire the Umuahia ringed-fence and that includes Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ikwuano, Bende, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, Umunneochi and Arochukwu.

“So, we are almost done and by the time negotiations are completed, payment would be made and we will pull Umuahia out of EEDC.

“The original agreement with Geometric before the amendment of the law was that any excess capacity would be sent to the national grid.

“Our plan right now, because Geometric has a stored capacity of 188 megawatts of energy even though they have three turbines with the capacity of 141 megawatts and the fourth turbine should be on the way any moment from now.

“At maximum load, we believe that Aba ringed-fence should not require more than a 100 megawatts. So, there is a balance of 88 megawatts.

“Our proposal is for it to be wheeled into Umuahia rather than sending it to the national grid. If we have 88 megawatts, at least we can guarantee steady supply of power,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who noted that industrialization cannot happen without power, said that, electricity is central to the agenda of his administration.

He narrated how he did everything possible to support the Geometric power to come on stream having been on the drawing board for 20 years before its commissioning.

He said that the members of the board were selected on merit, saying that, they passed through processes of interviews before the final selection and expressed his confidence that they would perform, especially as they have an experienced Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday to work with.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Executive Director of ASERA, Engr. Iheanyi Eze promised to achieve the vision of Governor Alex Otti in electricity and deliver quality and affordable power for the people.

He thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would ensure that they set up a robust customer relations system in the agency.

The full list of the membership of the agency include; Mr Onyegbule Emeka – Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ikowu Ukwu – Executive Director, Engr. Iheanyi Ine Eze – Executive Director, Onwuegbule Kareem Eberechukwu – Non Executive Director and Dr. Joy Oti – Non Executive Director.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, Commissioners, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Calab Ajagba among other top government officials were present at the inauguration ceremony.

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.

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 1st May, 2025 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Workers’ Day Celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government reiterated the need for peace to drive industrialization and economic growth.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo commended workers for their diligence and sacrifice. He noted that workers’ efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria commands in the comity of nations.

According to the Minister, ”There is dignity in labour; the dedication and commitment to the work we do, is vital to nation-building”. He therefore urged workers to imbibe the culture of innovation and productivity.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo encouraged workers to raise the bar of their trade to drive and upgrade the bar of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation’s wealth.

He assured Nigerians that, “this Administration is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners in the country.”

While wishing workers a happy celebration, the Honourable Minister urged Nigerians to keep hope alive as the present administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda he has promised.

…Mbah, Prof. Gambari harp on good governance

Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has described Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State as an epitome of good governance, noting that the governor was genuinely and quietly transforming the state.

Anyaoku, however, stressed that visionary leadership and speedy development, such as being witnessed in Enugu State under Mbah, would become a mere routine with a genuine federal constitution.

The diplomat spoke at the 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance, themed “The Imperative of Good Governance: Nigeria in a Global Comparative perspective” and organised by the board of Youth Affairs International Foundation at the Enugu International Conference Centre on Tuesday.

“Allow me the privilege of describing him (Mbah) as a truly performing governor. Yesterday, I was given glimpses of projects that have either been completed or in active progress towards completion. I saw, for example, this magnificent International Conference Centre. I saw an array of CNG buses at the Okpara Square. I saw the Smart Green Schools, which I gather that the governor’s plan is to replicate in every electoral constituency (wards), and I learnt that there are as many as 260 of them. I was also able to visit a state-of-the-art bus station, the Holy Ghost Terminal.

“So, I would say that Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely transforming Enugu State, which used to be described as a civil service state. He is transforming it into an industrial, educational hub and agricultural innovation.

“The surprising thing is that all these developments are going on with little publicity. I had expected, as my experience visiting many other states in this country has shown me that in places where you have two to three projects going, you will have massive publicity of them. But not so in Enugu. So, Governor Peter Mbah is not just a performing governor, but he is also a quite and noiseless performing governor,” he said.

However, he said that at 92, he regretted that Nigeria was still struggling with her pluralism and numerous challenges, warning that many countries that failed to address their pluralism with genuine federal constitution had since disintegrated.

“So, I have been quite consistent in advocating for a new democratic constitution for Nigeria, which addresses our plurality. This country was more peaceful and was developing faster in the first six years of our independence because it had a genuine federal constitution, which allowed the four regions to take care of their regional development, their social amenities, education, health, and internal security,” the octogenarian said.

To address the many challenges facing Nigeria and Africa, the Guest Speaker and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, called for a radical restructuring of the Nigerian federal arrangement to significantly devolve power to the people, a rejig of the leadership recruitment process, retooling of the state as a guarantor of security, unity, and ideals of equal citizenship as well as fashioning out of a new elite consensus, a complete overhaul of political parties, and a greater attention to constitutionalism, among others.

Speaking, Governor Mbah emphasised that “good governance – or lack of it – is often the fine margins between an ascendant state and one on a downward trajectory.” He, therefore, charged leaders to move beyond the realm of ideas into the realm of practicality and renewed his call for people-centred governance and investment in the youth.

“Good intentions alone do not translate to good leadership. Good leadership proceeds from the understanding that the people should be the centerpiece of state policies and projects,” he said.

Setting the tone for the day, chairman of the event and Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.), stressed the need for transformative leadership, which he said could not happen under the present structure of Nigeria.

“This is why I have long been advocating for the restructuring of Nigeria to become a proper federation, allowing State autonomy and bringing governance closer to the people. This also allows access to the mineral, natural, and human resources for their development.

“I stand for respect for the Rule of Law, the need for a forthright and independent Judiciary, a more effective, and responsive military, police and intelligence services.

“I also stand for the creation of State Police and local policing for our communities. And above all, a school system that allows relevant human resource development,” Nwachukwu stated.