….Oyebanji Promises to prioritize workers’ welfare
It was a moment of truth, commendations, assurances and recommendations when the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship flag bearer, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji met the leadership and members of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.
The meetings which took place at the headquarters of the unions, yielded positive results as leaders of the unions, spoke glowingly of their past encounters with Oyebanji while serving either as Chief of Staff, Commissioner or Secretary to the State Government.
The union leaders unanimously agreed that Oyebanji, owing to his humble background and understanding of their plights, would be a listening leader, and will give priority to issues relating to workers’ welfare.
Oyebanji, who said his visit was not primarily to canvas for votes ahead of the June 18 election, told the workers that they shared the same humble background and were products of the same environment and upbringing.
“I’m not here primarily to canvas for votes but I considered it necessary to come and share some stories with you so that we all know what we share in common that could strengthen our relationship. My parents were teachers and we (the children and dependants) were trained with their salaries, deductions and loans taken from teachers’ cooperative societies.
“My father, a retired school principal, now a pensioner would not be happy with me as governor if I treat teachers shabbily. Even my mother in her grave would be angry with me if I deny Ekiti workers what is due to them” he said.
At the meeting with the leadership of NLC at the state secretariat of the union in Ado-Ekiti, the APC candidate said he had always identified with their aspirations for better welfare for workers in Ekiti State.
“I represent your collective aspiration for a better working experience for our workers. I represent your agitation, your struggle for a better life for our children, your yearning and aspiration for a better working environment in our state. What I’m working towards is to create an environment that you don’t have to struggle for what is virtually yours”
He added that prioritising workers’ welfare is one of the key factors to the development of any state. “If the workforce is not productive, the state can not develop. Therefore, development should start with better treatment of workers”
The APC Governorship candidate said he stands as the better candidate to vote for come June 18. This, according to him is because he shares the same sociological background with them and knows where the shoe pinches.
“One thing that is instructive is that growing up, I saw my parents doing more with less from the salaries and loans they were taking. So I know the importance of regular payment of salary and I know the importance of going to a cooperative society to collect loans because that is how I was trained. And I don’t know who else can understand this thing if not someone that has gone through it”
Speking further, Oyebanji said he is the most experienced among the candidates jostling to succeed the incumbent government having been part of governance in Ekiti for 11 years, manning various offices, including that of Chief of Staff, Commissioner in three ministries and as Secretary to the State Government.
He promised not to fail them because there is no excuse for that with his level of experience about governance and knowledge of their challenges.
Some former leaders of NLC in Ekiti state, Comrade Ade Ajayi and Arogundade, who accompanied Oyebanji to the labour house, solicited workers’ support for the APC Candidate, who they said assisted them to achieve what they achieved as Labour Leaders in Ekiti.
They assured the labour leaders of continuity of better treatment being enjoyed by them under Kayode Fayemi led administration if Oyebanji emerge as Ekiti governor.
Earlier the NLC Chairman in Ekiti State, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo in his welcome address, had extolled the good virtues of Oyebanji and talked about how he has been of great assistance to the union during his days as Secretary to Ekiti State Government.
He described Oyebanji as a kind-hearted man of refined character.
The labour leader admitted that BAO’s selfless service and contributions towards the development of Ekiti state was what prompted them to give their total support to his candidacy.
“I want to assure you that, labour in Ekiti State have seen what you have done so far. We are not only supporting you but also praying for you.
” We need a changer in Ekiti state. We need someone that can turn our fortune around. We cannot be waiting, waiting for salary again. And we have a man here that is humble and committed to that cause. We have a man here that thinks of labour”
Also the Trade Union Congress chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, said the union is ready to give its support to any candidate that would prioritize their welfare in terms of regular payment of salaries, arrears, leave bonus, deductions and other welfare packages for Ekiti workers.
Comrade Adigun added that the union wants a government that would pay attention to workers as well as continue with the various infrastructural projects in the state. “We want the best for workers and we also want a government that will continue with these infrastructural projects. We want Ekiti to be delivered”
The TUC chairman also presented the union’s blueprint to Oyebanji, who promised to look into the to study it and look into the areas raised by the union if emerged as governo of the State.
