Photo: (L-r) Chidi Ezeoke, Head of Service and Chief Willie Obiano, Executive Governor, Anambra State at the May Day Rally in Awka…Yesterday.
The Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano has assured that the welfare of workers would remain one of the top priorities of his administration, preaching the virtue of hard-work as a prelude to reward for labour. Governor Obiano was speaking at the 2014 Workers Celebration at Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, Anambra State.
On a day workers all over the world remembered their past heroes who fought for the emancipation of workers and reasonable conditions of service, Governor Obiano emphasised that from time immemorial, hard-work had always had a direct relationship with reward.
Speaking on the significance of the day, Obiano told the workers: “As we celebrate this great day, we may do well to remember that no other day quite reminds us of the symbolism of hard-work as a prelude to reward as it does. Ndi Anambra, our oral tradition and written history bear testimony to the fact that our fathers and grandfathers did not only believe in the dualism of hard-work and reward; they also lived this principle out practically in their daily lives.”
Paying glowing tributes to the organised labour for their contributions to the growth of the state, Governor Obiano described them as the engine-room of Anambra State. Said he; “you people are the government of Anambra State in flesh and blood. If Anambra State will succeed as a distinctive group of people, that success must begin with you. In fact, Anambra has no real hope of progress without your commitment and your passion! My administration counts on your determination and efficiency to deliver the blessings of democracy to Ndi Anambra.”
The governor further reminded the workers that his administration was counting on them to ensure that Ndi Anambra have a clear understanding of the policies and programmes of government and the direction in which the state was headed.
According to him; “It is a common knowledge that the challenge we have in Anambra State has nothing to do with competence or absence of appropriate human capital but lack of enthusiasm and drive. The lot falls on you to rekindle the fire in our civil service! The lot falls on you to take home the new gospel of hard-work and reward that we preach here today and always!
The Governor however assured the workers that his administration would look into outstanding issues of promotion, confirmation and other incentives that would boost their productivity.
“We shall also look into the need for training and other capacity building programmes that will position the civil service to drive the change we envisage. I have also held several discussions with the Honourable Commissioner for Housing, Chief Law Chinweuba, on your housing and accommodation needs” governor Obiano also explained while pointing out that his efforts were directed at ensuring that no Anambrarian in the state civil service would feel short-changed or denied a sense of belonging.
Earlier the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Patrick Obianyo appealed to the Governor to look into the needs of workers which include amongst other things; proper implementation of minimum wage, outstanding promotion of workers, and outstanding salaries of staff of Anambra Broadcasting Service and National Light among other need.