A faction within the labour movement in Osun State, the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers, on Friday held a May Day rally where its leadership challenged political heads of various local government councils to be more committed to workers’ welfare.
The association also directed its members to support the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Osun governorship poll, Bola Oyebamiji, and work for his victory.
At the rally held at the premises of Olorunda Local Government Area in Igbona, Osogbo, various groups of formal and informal workers, dressed in uniform attire, made presentations.
Members of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, also known as OYES, participated in a ceremonial march past, while the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, comprising chairmen elected on the platform of the APC, Samuel Idowu, took the salute at the event.
In his address, the coordinator of the group, Adedayo Adekunle, called for the abolition of casualisation of staff in all government establishments, describing it as “barbaric, enslaving and unattractive to the best brains.”
“It is our demand that permanent job offers should be prioritised over offering graduates casual or temporary employment,” he said.
He added, “Safety at the workplace is not negotiable. All that is required to ensure the safety of employees should be given adequate attention.
“Social dialogue prevents strikes, and strikes hurt us all. We advise that you listen more and act faster on workers’ demands, as the era of treating workers as servants is over. We are now partners in delivering social goods and in decisions on governance and development.”
Adekunle further said, “After thorough assessment of the APC candidate for the August 15, 2026 governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), our association has found him to be a worthy leader. We therefore direct all our members to support him to ensure his victory at the poll.”
Addressing the workers, the Osun factional ALGON chairman, Samuel Idowu, assured them that the welfare of local government workers remains a top priority of the political leadership in the councils.
He said council chairmen would ensure prompt payment of salaries and entitlements, improved working conditions, support for capacity building and professional development, as well as a conducive environment for effective service delivery.
Highlighting some achievements recorded by APC council chairmen, Idowu said, “Since we assumed office, we have paid salary arrears owed to traditional rulers in the state.
“Each local government has empowered a minimum of 1,500 people and rehabilitated at least 30 kilometres of road network. We also procured 300 motorcycles for security agencies and additional security vehicles, which will be distributed soon. We have also intensified efforts to provide more infrastructure.”
PUNCH Online reports that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in the state organised a separate May Day celebration at another location in Osogbo.
The event was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
punch.ng
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