There was widespread excitement among Ekiti State workers on Tuesday as they began receiving alerts for the December salary reflecting the N70,000 new minimum wage.
Hundreds of workers, including permanent secretaries, thronged the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti, dancing and singing in appreciation of the new wage payment.
They expressed gratitude to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for fulfilling his promise to ensure that workers across all categories benefit from the new minimum wage.
Accompanied by Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; and some state commissioners, Oyebanji stepped out from the State Executive Council meeting to receive the jubilant workers.
He urged them to also thank President Bola Tinubu for enabling the state to pay the new minimum wage.
The governor stated, “But for President Bola Tinubu’s reforms which allocated more funds to states, many state governments would not have been able to pay the minimum wage.
“Honestly, I don’t think you should thank me. You worked hard and government paid you your dues. But I thank you for showing appreciation. Thank God, and after God, the only person you should thank is President Bola Tinubu. What you’re seeing today are the outcomes of the reforms he embarked on.”
He explained that without Tinubu’s bold reforms, states wouldn’t have been able to meet the minimum wage obligations.
“When he embarked on these reforms, most didn’t believe in him, but as a leader with a future vision, he’s been able to achieve more,” Oyebanji said.
Oyebanji urged workers to support Tinubu, stating, “N70,000 is just the minimum. We can go beyond it if our situation improves.
“Once the fruits of these reforms begin to show, there would be a quantum increase in what comes to the states, and we can add more to your salaries.”
“My advice to workers is to remain steadfast, be patient, and cooperate with the government. We should also educate others on the usefulness of these reforms to our survival as a nation,” Oyebanji said.
Recall that Oyebanji had last month announced that the new minimum wage would take effect in the state from December 1, following which workers in the state started receiving bank alerts for their December salaries on Tuesday.