*Sues for Support for the Tinubu Administration’s Reforms to Make Life Better for All Nigerians
*Urges States, Private Organizations to Mend Salary Disparities Between workers in Federal institutions,States and Private Organizations
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has called for consummate improvement in the welfare of the Nigerian workers serving in the States and the private sector, saying workers everywhere in the world are in the heart of development and national progress and, therefore, deserve the best to maximize their output.
He added that this gesture was important in order to close the disparity that exists between the emoluments of federal government workers and those in the States and private organizations.While calling for a close scrutiny of the salaries of workers in the States and private institutions,he said it was no longer acceptable for workers to receive pays that can hardly take them home from work at the end of each day.
In a statement made available to his media handlers today in Abuja,the NTAC boss congratulated Nigerian workers on the occasion of the celebration of this year’s Labour Day. He described the workers as “the hands that fertilize the earth of national development and service to all” and urged them to continue to give their best in the service of the nation and humanity.
While calling for support for the Tinubu Administration to continue to make life better for workers and for all Nigerians,the former two-term federal lawmaker said the current Administration’s various reforms, particularly,with regards to the welfare of the Nigerian workers,had from the onset of the Administration indicated that Government this time was prepared to effectively prioritize the place of workers in Nigeria against the usual lip service by past Administrations.
Rt.Hon.Buba,who noted the 35% increase in the national minimum wage and salaries of workers in federal service across board,the increase in the allowance of the National Youth Service Corps members as well as various landmark incentives that are aimed at empowering the Nigerian worker for greater comfort and productivity, explained that these gestures were all indicative of the welfarist posture of the Tinubu Administration and called on other employers to cascade these gestures down to all employees for maximum impact.
He said:
“To make greater meaning in the lives of workers in Nigeria,State Governments and the private sector must find a way to demonstrate tangible empathy for the worker,who leaves home daily ,but does not have what he needs to take him back home.
” The Federal Government has continued to do its best for the workers,but other employers of labour must follow suit in order for these improvements in workers’ welfare to trickle down and make more meaning.Take for instance,the millions that are charged in private schools and compare them with the salaries teachers in such schools receive at the end of every month,you will now understand why there’s need for a closer look in that direction.This does not just happen in our schools alone.See our factories and our corporate firms,where workers are casualised with mere pittance at the end of the month!
“Things like that deserve our attention and, perhaps,that of the National Assembly,the Wages Commission and such institutions of Government for an effective review.In more developed climes,every worker has insurance and various other welfare plans that ensure that they work in comfort and safety. We are the ones to change all these.We are not expecting anyone to come here and address them for us,” the DG emphasised.
May 1st is celebrated across many parts of the world as Labour Day in honour of workers all over the world.The day is usually marked by activities that promote the interests of workers in all sectors of the economy.
Nkem Anyata-Lafia
Special Assistant to NTAC DG ( Media and Publicity)
May 1,2025
