By joshua 
Kogi workers, families in ecstatic dance as Gov. Ododo okays #72,500 minimum wage – By Hon Chris Ben-Kato Senior Special Assistant on Information and communication to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
In 1943, Abraham Maslow the great philosopher of all times postulated the theory of the hierarchy of man’s needs to wit food, shelter, safety among others. Today the theory still stands the test of time as man’s immediate needs revolves around food , shelter and his safety.
The Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is not oblivious of the needs of Kogi electorates and the workers alike. In one of the fora at Glass House, Government House Lokoja, the governor said when some basic needs of the workforce are solved majority of the people in the state will be at peace. This of course is the position of a God fearing leader who has come on stage to make a positive difference in the lives of Kogi people.
On Monday October 7, 2024, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo announced a new minimum wage of #72,500 for the entire Kogi State civil servants. Whats more, the governor also announced a one year tax exemption on the new minimum wage. No governor in the country has done this. His Excellency therefore deserves an accolade for his good intentions for Kogi workers.
It is worth to note here that the new minimum wage is over 100% of the old minimum wage of #30,000. His Excellency therefore deserves to be applauded for this great magnanimity for Kogi State workers.
Some have said mischievously that it is the workers right to be paid salaries and that no need for praises. Well said, but what of governors that are owing salaries, what of governors that are paying late salaries, what of governors that do not care for the welfare of their workforce? The truth is that His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has been paying salaries to workers before the 25th of every month since he assumed office. This is a great feat for the peoples governor of Kogi State.
At one time, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in a press statement declared that “I will ensure that my state is among the first to pay the new minimum wage.” Being a leader respected for always acting on his words, the governor has fulfilled his promise by announcing the new minimum wage of #72,500 to Kogi workers.
Our thanks should also go to the hardworking Head of service, Pastor Elijah Evinemi who chaired the new minimum wage committee headed by the state Head of service, Elijah Evinemi for his hard work along with the leadership of the organized labour led by Comrade Gabriel Amari, the secretary to the state government, Folashade Arike Ayo-Ade PHD, State Auditor General, Yakubu Okala among others for a job well done in working out the modalities for the new minimum wage for Kogi State workers.
Let us not be ignorant of the fact that workers in the state have numerous relatives and family members which the new minimum wage of #72,500 will permeate into their pockets. The new minimum wage is therefore a win win situation for Kogi State workers and the entire Kogi people.
His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is God sent to Kogi people. Since assumption of office on January 27, 2024, the governor has been providing the dividends of democracy to Kogi people. He has broken fifteen years percentage salaries payment for Local Government workers in the state. He has provided tractors, fertilizers, pesticides to Kogi farmers, he has provided hundreds of vehicles to all the security agencies in the state, he has done many many things and he is still doing more and more for the people of the state.
His Excellency, the Chief Servant of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is God sent to the people of Kogi State. He is the father of modern Kogi State.
Kogi people should continue to rally round the hard working Chief Executive and Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Together Kogi State will be ahead of other states in the country.
LONG LIVE NIGERIA
LONG LIVE KOGI STATE
LONG LIVE HIS EXCELLENCY ALHAJI AHMED USMAN ODODO THE CHIEF SERVANT OF KOGI STATE.
Chris Ben-Kato is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo the Executive Governor of Kogi State