Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has finally addressed the state civil servants following a five-day protest by labour. Makinde assured the workers that he would continue to prioritize their welfare and promised to hold quarterly meetings with labour leaders.
During his address at the State Secretariat, Makinde acknowledged that misunderstandings are inevitable in any relationship but emphasized that he had reached an improved understanding with the joint leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The workers had embarked on a weeklong protest to demand various things, including the payment of monthly deductions from their salaries, the release of promotion letters for 2021 and 2022, and the release of their leave bonuses.
Governor Makinde explained that addressing most of the workers’ demands would require funds, as the protest had negatively impacted the state’s revenue. He also expressed the need for motivation from the workers, even when there are perceived infractions in their relationship.
Makinde apologized for some of his statements made during a weekend state broadcast, stating that they were said out of emotions. He revealed that both the leadership of labour in the state and himself had apologized to each other, and peace had been restored.
In his address, Makinde urged everyone to remember that Oyo state is their home and emphasized the importance of maintaining a good relationship. He used a proverb to illustrate his point, stating that those who wish to fetch water from a well must not pollute it. He also reminded the workers that labour leaders can become governors, as seen in the case of Oshiomhole in Edo state.
The NLC president in Oyo state, Comrade Kayode Martins, and his TUC counterpart, Bosun Olabiyi, confirmed that the governor had agreed to the workers’ demands. They expressed gratitude to Makinde for prioritizing workers’ welfare and pledged their continued cooperation and support for the government.