Workers in Kwara State, under the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, joined others around the world on Thursday to celebrate Workers’ Day and ask the government to improve the lives of citizens.
The event took place at George Innih Stadium in Ilorin and was attended by top government officials, labour leaders, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu.
This year’s theme was “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship.”
In his speech, the NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Saheed Olayinka, said the rising cost of living, housing problems, poor access to healthcare, and job insecurity were making life difficult for workers.
ss the economic challenges confronting members of the labour movement.”
He called on the government to act fast and control inflation so that workers can afford basic needs. He also urged leaders to create policies that would support local businesses, reduce transportation costs, and create more jobs.
He praised the state government for paying salaries on time but asked that local government workers also be allowed to serve as permanent secretaries, saying they have the same qualifications as those at the state level.
The TUC Chairman, Comrade Abdulrahman Onikijipa, urged the government to build affordable housing for civil servants. He also suggested that giving workers a 35% salary allowance would help ease their financial burden.
He added, “The government should also immediately pay the N30,000 minimum wage percentage to state pensioners without delay.”
The state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Senior Advisor, Saadu Salahu, said his government would continue to support workers and create policies to improve the civil service, grow the economy, and attract investment.
He said, “Let me reaffirm our administration’s commitment to building a Kwara where workers thrive—where decent jobs are created, where careers are nurtured, and where every sector is empowered to contribute meaningfully to the state’s prosperity.”
He added that his government has kept the economy stable, paid salaries regularly, supported small businesses, and provided social welfare programmes.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, also praised workers for their role in the state’s development.
“I join the rest of the world in celebrating Nigeria’s workforce, especially those of our dear Kwara State, driving development and progress. We would continue to acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate your efforts and your immeasurable contributions as our backbone,” he said.
