In a significant show of appreciation for the workforce, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced a N10,000 lunch allowance for every civil servant on the state’s payroll in celebration of the 2025 Workers’ Day.
The announcement was made during a vibrant rally held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, where thousands of enthusiastic workers gathered to commemorate the occasion. The gesture, aimed at boosting worker morale, was met with cheers and applause from the crowd.
Speaking at the event, Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed his administration’s unflinching dedication to the welfare and dignity of civil servants in the state, describing labour as a cornerstone of development and a central pillar of his governance.
“The dignity of labour remains at the heart of our administration,” the governor declared. “We will continue to recognize and reward productivity, innovation, and professionalism. The wellbeing of Ebonyi workers is not a privilege—it is a right, and we are committed to upholding it.”
Governor Nwifuru acknowledged the prevailing economic challenges across the country, noting that the state government remained resolute in ensuring the prompt payment of salaries, as well as the continued clearance of pensions and gratuities dating back to 1996. He also reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to implement the new national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments, which have already been factored into the 2025 budget.
As part of broader reforms to improve workers’ experience, the governor announced the introduction of a streamlined retirement process aimed at eliminating longstanding bureaucratic bottlenecks that have plagued retirees in the past.
He also pledged deeper collaboration with labour unions and relevant stakeholders to sustain the delivery of democratic dividends to the state’s workforce.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi State Chapter, Prof. Ogugua Egwu, praised the contributions of workers to national growth and lauded Governor Nwifuru’s consistent support for labour welfare.
However, Prof. Egwu did not shy away from highlighting ongoing challenges, particularly the poor standard of living faced by many workers. He called for a comprehensive upward review of pension benefits for retirees to reflect the realities of the 2024 national minimum wage.
He also urged the government to prioritize the provision of affordable housing, expanded transportation services for workers, payment of accumulated leave allowances, and the full implementation of the minimum wage for local government employees, especially teachers.
“We appreciate the governor for budgeting for consequential wage adjustments, but we appeal for greater focus on grassroots workers who form the backbone of governance and service delivery,” Egwu said.
The celebration was capped by the public recognition of three outstanding workers, whose commitment to service earned them commendation and rewards—adding excitement and inspiration to the day’s festivities.
As Ebonyi joins the rest of Nigeria to mark Workers’ Day, the tone set by Governor Nwifuru’s administration signals a commitment not just to promises, but to practical, people-focused action.
