Workers in Osun have expressed dissatisfaction over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s failure to implement the newly approved minimum wage especially as governors of many other states have approved the increase.

In a chat with journalists in Osogbo on Monday, October 21, some workers in the state aired their frustration with the state government.

Investors King reported that some states including Lagos, Rivers, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, among others, have announced an increased in the minimum wage of civil servants.

In Ondo State for instance, on Saturday, October 12, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced a new minimum wage of N73,000 for civil servants in the state.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who revealed the new wage during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off in Ondo West Local Government Area, stated that the government has implemented measures, including training programs and timely salary payments, to motivate civil servants.

Similarly, workers in Kogi State received a significant boost in their wages.

During the unveiling ceremony of the new minimum wage on Monday, October 7, Governor Ododo announced an immediate salary increase of N72,500 for civil servants in the state.

Ododo added to the excitement of the workers by announcing a one-year suspension of the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax.

However, in Osun State, the workers revealed that they had waited patiently with hopes that the state government would implement the new wage.

The workers emphasized that the payment of the newly approved wage was long overdue and leaving the workers battling with more hardship.

According to Opemipo, a worker in the state, the economic hardship was becoming unbearable for civil servants in the state.

She urged Governor Adeleke to implement the new wage without delay to lift the burden off the workers.

She said, “I wonder what is causing the delay. Other neighbouring states have implemented theirs, and I wonder what is delaying our own.

”This economic hardship is becoming unbearable, and I appeal to Gov. Adeleke to act fast.”

Another civil servant in the state emphasized that the delay was becoming worrisome.

To him, the new wage may be small, however, it will be of great help to the workers.

He noted that the government is yet to even negotiate the new wage to be paid to the state’s workers.

He ended by saying that the delay reflects the government’s lack of commitment to the welfare of workers in the state.

He said, “We are worried over the delay. No matter how little the minimum wage might be, at least it will assist in fixing one or two things.

“But now that the government is not coming forth with what it is willing to pay, it is a serious source of concern for us.

“States like Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun and others have implemented theirs, why Osun?.

“This shows a lack of commitment to the welfare of workers in the state.

“I hope the state government will come out on time to let the workers know their fate.”

The cries of the Osun State workers comes despite assurance by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, that the minimum wage committee would soon complete its assignment.

Meanwhile, The organized labour has expressed dissatisfaction with the continued delay in the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers by some state governors.

A labour leader who spoke with journalists revealed that the union has agreed to wait until the end of October, adding that they will take appropriate action after the ultimatum.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced the commencement of its 2024 recruitment exercise for interested and qualified Nigerians to join the service.

This was announced on FIRS’s official X handle on Monday, October 21.

The service revealed that applicants for the available position of Tax Officers must be graduates from Nigeria.

The statement further stated that applicants must possess certain qualities including integrity, a strong desire to excel, strong analytics, problem-solving and communication skills to qualify for the vacant position.

The statement, titled; Recruitment Notice, also stated that specific information regarding application procedures, including deadline and submission details, will be published shortly on the FIRS official website, https://www.firs.gov.ng.

The FIRS encouraged all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, to apply noting that the service is an equal opportunity employer.

The statement reads, “The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is excited to announce upcoming opportunities for young graduates to join our team as Tax Officers (Officer II and Officer I) in various locations across Nigeria.

We are looking for candidates with integrity and a strong desire to excel professionally, as well as those who possess strong analytical, problem-solving, and communications skills.

Further specific information regarding application procedures, including application deadline and submission details, will be published shortly on our official website.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is an equal-opportunity employer.

We encourage all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, to consider applying.”

Investors King reported that in a move to address the staffing gap in teaching in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun unveiled an online portal for qualified individuals interested in joining the civil service in the state.

The application portal was unveiled by the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu.

Arigbabu noted that the recruitment will be overseen by the Ministry in collaboration with the State Teaching Service Commission, the State Universal Basic Education Board, and the Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board.

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said the least minimum wage that the state workers expected from the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is N100,000.

While hailing the governor for upgrading the state’s minimum wage to N85,000, Rhodes-Vivour, stressed that the new minimum wage is insufficient to cater to the high cost of living in the state.

In a tweet via his X handle on Thursday, the politician noted that judging by the worsening cost of living in the country, the least any worker could earn is N100,000.

He opined that a minimum wage of “at least N100,000 is necessary for Lagos workers to achieve parity with their counterparts in other states” owing to the high costs of transportation, rent, and also because the state “ranks second nationally in the average cost of a healthy diet, making it the second most expensive city in the country to feed.”

The ex-LP governorship candidate bemoaned the governor for his “boasts” on increasing the state’s budget from N600 billion to over N1 trillion, saying it was of less importance compared to the state’s poor infrastructure, low investment in human capital and education outcomes, among others.

He said Governor Sanwo-Olu boasts of increasing the Lagos budget from N600 billion to over N1 trillion, with a projected N3 trillion before his term ends, adding that the governor claims a 94% budget performance rate.

However, according to him, these claims seem to be at odds with the reality of Lagos as the city still grapples with poor infrastructure, low investment in human capital and education outcomes, a struggling public transportation network, increasing slums and informal communities, and very few social welfare programs.

For him, “These are the issues that truly matter to the people of Lagos, not just the size of the budget.”

He stated, “It’s crucial to note that over 70% of Lagos State’s operating revenue comes from taxes, with PAYE (Pay As You Earn) contributing 45%. This means the state’s wealth, which the governor seems to take all the credit for, is primarily generated by citizens’ hard work.

“The critical question is: What tangible benefits do Lagosians receive in return for this significant contribution? Do their children have access to quality public education? Is there an efficient and affordable public transportation system? Are the roads well-maintained? Is social housing readily available? Can residents easily access capital for entrepreneurship?

“These are the real measures of a government’s success, not just the size of its budget. Boasting about an aggressive and exploitative tax system without commensurate investment in public goods is more characteristic of a cartel than a supposedly progressive government.”

Rhodes-Vivour added that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state had “wasted 24 years, barely scratching the surface,” as he lamented the slow development rate in the state.

Investors King had reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu had announced N85,000 as the minimum wage the state would be paying.

The governor had said he looks forward to increasing the wage to N100,000 if the revenue of the state increases.