…As TUC Decries Insecurity, Poverty

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday, expressed appreciation to workers across the state for their support and constructive engagement with his administration, describing the relationship between organised labour and the Edo State Government as a model of productive partnership rooted in mutual respect.

Speaking at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held in Benin City, with the theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,” Governor Okpebholo paid tribute to the working men and women whose daily contributions, he said, continue to drive the development of Edo State.

He maintained that his administration is committed to workers’ welfare and good governance, adding that his administration has turned Edo State into a huge construction site.

Represented by the deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo said, “I am very delighted to join the hardworking men and women of Edo State on this special occasion of Workers’ Day 2026.

“Today, we celebrate the men and women whose daily efforts keep our state moving forward. From teachers to health workers, civil servants, artisans, traders, and security personnel, you are the backbone of Edo’s progress. I thank you all.

“Let me also appreciate our labour leaders for their support and cooperation, which have sustained a cordial relationship between labour and government. Your constructive engagement has helped us focus on development.

“From the first day of this administration, workers’ welfare has remained a top priority. We have ensured prompt payment of salaries and sustained payment of the 13th-month salary.

“A year ago, we approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 monthly because labour deserves a decent reward,” he said.

Speaking, the chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Edo State, Comrade Joseph Wasah, decried the high degree of insecurity and poverty currently facing Nigerians. He added that the two are twin evils that undermine development.

“Comrades, insecurity and poverty remain the twin evils undermining human development and destroying the foundation of decent work.

“The International Labour Organisation defines decent work as employment that provides fair income, workplace security, social protection, and freedom for workers to express their concerns.

“Yet insecurity and poverty form a destructive cycle: poverty breeds desperation and crime, while insecurity destroys infrastructure, disrupts economic activity, and displaces communities, thereby deepening poverty.”

Wasah, who also advocated for a living wage, said, “A real living wage is not just survival pay, but it is the foundation of dignity. There is an urgent need for a wage review in 2026.

“Current earnings no longer meet basic needs due to escalating inflation and widespread suffering. Workers need wages that guarantee life, not mere survival.”

He added that though the minimum wage was raised to ₦75,000 in Edo State, inflation and rising fuel and food costs have already eroded those gains.

On his part, the Edo State faction chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Bernard Eguakhide, said poverty in the midst of hard work is unacceptable.

He maintained that though the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has taken some steps in the right direction, such as prompt payment of salaries and the recent recruitment of 5,000 teachers, among others, more needs to be done.

He added, “Poverty in the midst of hard work is unacceptable. A hungry man, they say, is an angry man. Despite these realities, the Edo State Governor has taken workers’ welfare very seriously in the state by sustaining prompt payment of salaries and restoring stability in workers’ lives.

“Driving employment initiatives, including recruitment of teachers and civil servants. Strengthening education, with over 10,000 teachers impacted. Revitalising over 200 healthcare centres across the 18 LGAs, with the employment of over 1,300 health workers.”

Continuing, he said roads, schools, rebuilding of markets to boost trade, training and retraining of the Edo workforce to meet globally acceptable standards, and staff promotions up to 2025 are all efforts of the Edo State Government to reposition Edo workers.