Jigawa Government has announced a new agricultural programme called “J-Agric” to ensure a brighter future for civil servants.

Gov. Umar Namadi announced the programme on Wednesday in Dutse at the 2024 Workers Day celebration.

He explained that under the programme, the government would provide opportunities for workers to invest in agriculture.

He said, “I’m glad to unveil a new programme initiated by this administration to secure the present and future lives of our workers.

“A sustainable agricultural programme is underway to provide free farmlands and financial loans to Jigawa civil servants for the purpose of agriculture.

“The state government, through the J-Agricprogramme, will provide greater opportunities for workers to invest in agriculture.”

Namadi added that under the programme, the government shall facilitate workers’ easy access to farmlands and credit facilities through cooperatives and other financial institutions.

This, he said, is to assure workers and their families a brighter future even after retirement.

“This is part of the administration’s plans through deliberate policy to improve the lives of people and food security,” Namadi said.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, MrSunusiAlhassan, commended the governor for the gesture.

Alhassan, however, urged the state government to expedite the launch of the programme as the rainy season is fast approaching “so as to ensure maximum benefit for all.”

The Speaker, Kwara House of Assembly, Mr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has said that the 10th Assembly will give legislative backing to improve workers’ welfare.

Danladi-Salihu said this on Wednesday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Shehu Abdulkadir, to mark the 2024 Workers’ Day.

“It is another day to acknowledge and celebrate the workforce of our great nation, Nigeria, and our dear state, Kwara in Particular.

“As we do always, we appreciate the resilience, commitment, dedication, and sacrifices of our workers,

“They remain essential to the overall development of our dear country as they contribute immensely to Nigeria’s growth.

“As lawmakers, we are committed to giving legislative backing to improve the welfare of our workers, give them a living wage and make life more bearable for them in appreciation of the invaluable services they render.

“On this Workers’ Day, on behalf of the Kwara House of Assembly, I celebrate our workers with pride and I wish them a happy and fulfilling day,” he stated.

The Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) has urged Kano government agencies to pay over N75 billion backlog of unremitted  pension contributions.

The Chairman of NLC, Kabiru Inuwa made the call during the 2024 Workers’ Day celebrations on Wednesday in Kano.

Inuwa lamented that the issue of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organizations was alarming, with a staggering accumulation of over N75 billion as of May 2023.

According to him, this poses a serious threat to the financial security of retirees.

“The non remittance led to deductions of pension thus non payment of full pension for years.

“While we commend the present administration for commencing full payment of pension, we demand that all defaulting government institutions shall commence paying the back log to enable settlement of retirement and death benefit.

“We are sure if elaborative analysis of the backlog is done and a strategy to recoup the money is put in place, the accrued benefits could be settled within a few years,” he explained.

The chairman also called on the state government to resume the payment of wage award that was only paid.

“Workers rely on these awards to improve their standard of living, and a consistent payment schedule shall be established to ensure their welfare is safeguarded,” he said.

The labour leader further urged the state government to constitute the governing board of the state contributory scheme as stipulated in the law is crucial for effective management.

Inuwa also appealed to the state government to grant the much sought local government autonomy as it was crucial to the development of the state.

“It’s pertinent to solicit the support of the Kano State Government in partnering with the agitators to make local government autonomy a reality.

“We are also calling on the state government to re-introduce institution-based disbursement of vehicle loans and its upward review is essential to meet the evolving needs of workers,” he said.

The chairman, who congratulated Nigerian workers, urged them to renew their commitment to the ideals of justice, fairness, and solidarity that were at the heart of the labour movement.

In a remark, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf restated the state government’s commitment to improve workers welfare and provide an enabling working environment.

Represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Aminu Abdussalam, the governor described the theme “People First” ,as apt, saying that his administration was committed to workers’ welfare and the overall development of the state.

Kabir-Yusuf also pledged prompt payment of civil servants salaries and pension to retirees as promised since the inception of his administration .

According to him, the state government has resumed the regular promotion of civil servants.

On housing deficit, the governor said that arrangements were on top gear with the stakeholders to provide affordable houses to workers in the state.

He appealed to the labour union to render maximum support for the state government to achieve its goals.