The Nigeria Labour Congress, Osun State Chapter, has commended the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his demonstration of love and compassion for the welfare of workers in the state.
The Chairman NLC, Comrade Jacob Adekomi, said the Governor has surpassed the expectation of the workers on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with workers last year.
This was even as Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in a three-in-one event administered oath on nine Headmasters-General and three Tutors-General, presented bond certificates to retirees under the contributory pension scheme and commissioned newly constructed ultra-modern recreation centre at the secretariat.
Adekomi, who was one of the officials, gave his commendation at the event. The NLC boss posited that the state government has been living up to the demands of the workers, as being exhibited in the prompt implementation of the agreements reached with the state government in December 2017.
Adekomi who poured encomium on Aregbesola held that the Governor has done well for the workers, hence the confidence being reposed in him by the state workforce.
“We are very grateful for the continued support the state workforce has been enjoying since the inception of the present administration.
“It is on record that the state under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has not only prioritized our welfare but placed our interest at the front-burner of consideration.
“We have confidence in the present administration because it has not disappointed us for any reason. We are proud to have someone like Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as a governor whose passion and love for workers have no measure.
“As we all know, Mr Governor has surpassed the agreement we had with him through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which we signed with him to release N1billion for the payment of the Pension Arrears.
“Today, the state under our amiable Governor has released and paid N1.6billion for the same purpose. This is a feat worthy of commendation not only from the beneficiaries but for the entire workforce.
“So, we are very proud of our Governor for being sensitive and committed to our welfare, a move that has strengthened symbiotic relationship between the government and workers in the state”, Adekomi added.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the offices of Headmasters-General and Tutors-General were created as part of his administration’s sensitivity to the need to promote quality and functional education.
He said the initiative was also aimed at providing equal opportunity for all public servants to reach the peak position (Permanent Secretary) in the Public Service.
Governor who titled his speech ” A Festival of Workers”, posited that with the move, his government has removed all encumbrances which hitherto prevented Graduate Teachers in the Public Service of the State of Osun from moving beyond the walls of the schools throughout their years in service by giving them automatic conversion as Education Officers and changing the profession to a Directorate Cadre.
According to him, “Earlier in this administration and precisely on 28th September, 2012, the Office of Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary was created in an unprecedented manner in each of the three Senatorial Districts in the State with a view to allowing secondary school teachers rise to the zenith position in the Public Service.
“Today, and to the Glory of God and in fulfillment of our avowed commitment, the second leg of the transformation of the Teaching Service in the State of Osun is being done, with the inauguration of nine Headmasters-General from the pool of Graduate Teachers in the Elementary School system in the State.
“The position of Headmaster-General is equivalent to that of the Permanent Secretary. This makes the occupant of the position to enjoy all the rights and privileges of the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
“It is the expectation of Government therefore that this development will lay a solid foundation and an enduring legacy towards taking the Educational Sector in the State of Osun to a greater height.
“It then goes without saying that, irrespective of their career paths, every public servant in the State of Osun now has equal opportunity to reach the peak position in the Public Service, that is, the position of Permanent Secretary”, he stressed.
Charging the newly sworn-in Headmasters-General and Tutors-General on effectiveness, good performance and diligence, Aregbesola called on the new appointees to be the vanguards of his education reformation policy in their respective domains.
Aregbesola averred that the Headmasters Generals must know however, that the motivation for their elevation is not just to give them a mouthful and high sounding title but to improve the level of superintendence in schools.
He pointed out that the move is to break supervision to nine levels and make control and efficiency easier, saying with this, the schools should be better in administration and management as the new appointees are required to do whatever it takes to motivate teachers, parents and pupils under their administration.
Governor Aregbesola however asserted his administration’s efforts at championing worker’s welfare, saying “our administration has never slacked in our responsibility to workers despite the limited resources at our disposal.
“The welfare of serving and retired public servants has always been taken as very important in the scheme of things. As the economy of the state continues to improve gradually, the State Government shall continue to release steady funds to defray arrears of pensions and gratuities.
Distributing the bond certificate of N1.8billion to retirees, Governor Aregbesola said, “In another demonstration of our genuine concern for our retirees, we are issuing Bond Certificates to 171 retirees from the Civil Service, High School Teachers and Staff of Parastatals today.
“In the same vein, Bond Certificates will be issued to 56 retirees from the Local Government Service and Teachers in the Elementary and Middle Schools who retired on the Contributory Pension Scheme.
“I have equally approved an additional sum of N100 million to be released to the Bureau of Public Service Pension. The names of the beneficiaries shall be released by the Office of the Head of Service in due course.
“With regards to Public Servants who retired on the Old Pension Scheme which ended on December 31, 2012, a total of 2,706 beneficiaries recently received part-payment of their gratuities. Provision has been made already for additional 700 to benefit from this gesture in a matter of days”, he added.
Earlier, the Osun Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for creating an enabling and conducive working atmosphere for the state workers to succeed and perform their duties diligently and effectively.
He said the present government has been very sensitive to the welfare of workers as manifested in the robust relationship and collaboration the state and her workforce have been enjoying since the inception of the present administration.
Packaged by Rahman Salami
