The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Friday assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly is aware of their economic challenges and remains committed to improving their welfare through legislative measures.

The former Akwa Ibom State governor gave the assurance in a congratulatory message to mark the 2026 International Workers’ Day, issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh.

Akpabio acknowledged the difficulties faced by workers and pledged the Senate’s continued intervention through legislation aimed at improving living conditions and workplace standards.

He said, “The 10th National Assembly recognises the challenges workers face, from rising costs of living to workplace demands.

“I assure you that the Senate remains unwavering in its commitment to legislating for a living wage, safer workplaces, pension reforms, and policies that expand job creation and protect the dignity of labour.

“The passage of the new National Minimum Wage Act and the implementation of workers’ welfare packages are testaments to this commitment.”

His message comes against the backdrop of mounting economic pressures on Nigerian workers, including rising inflation, the high cost of living, and concerns over wage sustainability, which have continued to dominate national discourse.

The Senate President also called on employers across sectors to prioritise workers’ welfare, stressing the link between productivity and improved working conditions.

“Today, we celebrate you—the teachers who mould our future, the farmers who feed our nation, the doctors and nurses who heal our land, the artisans, traders, civil servants, security personnel, and private sector employees whose daily toil builds Nigeria.

“You are the true heroes of our democracy and the engine of our economy.

“To organised labour, I commend your constructive engagements and patriotism. The Senate will continue to partner with the NLC, TUC and all affiliates to ensure that the voice of the Nigerian worker is heard and respected in the chambers of policy and law,” he stated.

The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Jerry Uwangue, has said the recent field engagement by the ministry was designed to interface with genuine farmers and eliminate the era of “political farmers.”

Speaking with PUNCH Online on Friday, he said the state government would conduct comprehensive farmer profiling and deepen inclusion in government-driven agricultural programmes.

Uwangue added that the engagement also served as a platform to communicate the policy direction of Governor Monday Okpebholo, while gathering firsthand data on farmers’ realities to drive practical, data-backed interventions.

He recalled that he, alongside key officials of the ministry, toured major agrarian corridors in Edo North, including Akoko-Edo, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Owan East and Owan West.

The commissioner urged farmers to key into the ongoing profiling exercise and embrace the cluster farming model—an integrated system aimed at boosting productivity and economies of scale.

He said the initiative was part of efforts to reinforce the state government’s commitment to grassroots agricultural transformation across the 18 local government areas.

“We urge farmers to key into the ongoing profiling exercise and embrace the cluster farming model, an integrated system designed to boost productivity and economies of scale.

“Under this initiative, the government will facilitate land clearing, structured allocation of farmlands, provision of inputs and mechanisation services, irrigation support and the establishment of security architecture to safeguard both farmers and agricultural investments.

“That is why we embarked on the recent field engagement in Edo North—to interface with genuine farmers and eradicate the era of ‘political farmers,’” he said.

He noted that during interactive sessions, farmers commended previous government interventions but also highlighted persistent challenges such as poor market pricing, insecurity and limited access to inputs.

According to him, many farmers described the engagement as unprecedented, noting it was the first time a commissioner visited farmers across multiple local government areas to engage directly and ensure that interventions reach real farmers rather than politically connected individuals or middlemen.

The commissioner also disclosed plans to establish modern storage and aggregation facilities across the three senatorial districts to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise market prices.

He further revealed that strategic partnerships with verified off-takers were underway to guarantee structured market access and ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce.

Uwangue said the farmer profiling initiative would serve as the foundation for aligning production with demand, strengthening value chains and delivering targeted interventions to reposition Edo State as a hub for sustainable agricultural productivity.

The Acting Permanent Secretary, Bamiyi Osedebamen, emphasised the importance of registration, urging farmers to mobilise others in their communities to participate actively. She cautioned against any form of financial exploitation, stressing that the profiling process is free and government-driven.

Technical insights were also provided by the Director of Agricultural Services, Ogunbor David, and the Programme Manager of the Agricultural Development Programme, Princewill Igbinedion, alongside other ministry officials.

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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.

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