Kogi gov approves N72,500 minimum wage for workers

The Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,500 for the state’s workforce, including local government workers.

He announced the approval on Monday after receiving the report from the state’s Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, led by Head of Service, Elijah Avenemi.

Ododo reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare of all workers in the state and introduced a one-year tax relief. He declared that there would be no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes or any other deductions for the entire year.

He assured the workers that as governor, he would ensure the state’s resources are used to improve the lives of its citizens, rather than oppress them.

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“I am just your chief servant, and I will ensure that the resources are allocated to all sectors fairly and equitably,” he said.

Ododo attributed the smooth implementation of the new wage to the efforts of the labour leaders and the previous administration’s screenings and staff audits, which helped ensure that genuine workers, not ghost workers, benefit from the state’s resources.

He called on workers to support his administration and promised the prompt payment of salaries.

In response, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gabriel Amari, commended the governor, describing him as the most worker-friendly governor in Kogi’s history.