Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has officially approved a new minimum wage of N72,500 for workers in the state, effective immediately. This decision marks a significant step in improving the welfare of civil servants in Kogi.
Ododo received and signed the report from the Minimum Wage Committee, chaired by Elijah Evinemi, who also serves as the Kogi State Head of Service.
During the signing ceremony at the Government House in Lokoja, Ododo acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the union and the government, stating that the committee reached a resolution that would not adversely affect workers or the state’s finances.
He commended the committee for their diligent work, emphasizing, “What I have done today was not a favour for the workers but rather their right.”
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of workers in Kogi State and underscored the importance of fulfilling the mandates given by the citizens.
Starting this October, the new minimum wage will come into effect.
In addition, Governor Ododo announced the suspension of withholding tax from civil servants' salaries for one year, further easing the financial burden on the workforce.
“We are not doing anybody good but we are doing what we have signed to do in fulfilment of our promises. This is in line with the stakeholders, both the government and labour,” he stated.
Having previously served as a labour leader and civil servant, Governor Ododo expressed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by civil servants. He committed to leveraging the state’s resources to provide necessary support for the workforce, reflecting his administration's dedication to improving the lives of Kogi State workers.