Mbah, Promise Keeper, Friendly Governor – Labour

Organised labour, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Enugu State, has extolled Governor Peter Mbah for improving workers‘ conditions in the state, describing him as a “promise keeper” and “the most worker-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
This was as the governor renewed his commitment to workers‘ welfare and working conditions and continued implementing policies for economic emancipation and poverty eradication in the state.
The workers commended Mbah through the Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Benneth Asogwa, during the 2025 Workers’ Day Celebration at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, on Thursday.
The workers expressed gratitude to the governor for transforming the state and turning Enugu into a modern, smart state within two years of his administration. They insisted that Enugu workers were the most favoured in the country due to the governor‘s deliberate efforts to redefine the face of governance.

“Your Excellency, our major task in Enugu State since you assumed office has been to count our numerous blessings. We are proud to say that Your Excellency says what he does and does what he says,” the NLC chairman noted.

Describing Mbah as “Mr Project,” who was transforming Enugu into a modern state through his unusual business governance philosophy, Nwigbo said that in addition to the numerous completed and ongoing projects, the governor had also prioritised the welfare packages of workers in the state.

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While speaking on this year’s May Day theme —Reclaiming the Civic Space amid Economic Hardship—Comrade Asogwa hailed the governor for his clearly defined leadership model, making him the “Face of New Enugu.”

“Your exponential capacity in transforming Enugu state has distinguished you among other governors in Nigeria. You have established a leadership model that has set an unequalled benchmark for assessing good governance in Nigeria.

Asogwa, who lamented the country‘s precarious economic situation and biting economic hardship, said the case was different in Enugu as Mbah’s proactive approach to governance was positively impacting the people‘s standard of living across the state.

“Your Excellency, the workers are very grateful for your resolve to redefine governance in our state by proactively taking steps to place Enugu at the forefront of reforms that cut across all sectors and trickle down to the grassroots,” he added.

In their separate remarks, they explained that the N80,000 minimum wage approved and implemented by the governor, which was above the national minimum wage of N70,000, and the harmonisation of the salaries of both state and local government workers have significantly improved workers‘ lives.

According to the organised union, the approval of payment of the long abandoned gratuity of retirees, clearing of pension arrears and regular pension payments, the ongoing 260 Smart Green Schools and 260 Smart Type-2 PHCs, transformation of the transport sector, revitalisation of dormant infrastructure and assets, completion of the International Conference Centre, procurement of the CNG buses and tractors for agriculture, the 260 farm estate initiative, the launch of Enugu Air in the aviation industry, construction of hundreds of roads in urban and rural areas, and the outstanding improvement of security in the state had endeared the governor to their hearts.

Reacting, Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Barrister Victor Udeh, said the administration was deliberate about creating wealth, employment, a better working environment, functional systems and institutions that would elevate the economic status of workers and also make them more efficient and productive.

He commended the workers for their services to the state and the public, contributing to nation-building and wealth.

“For us, however, every day is Workers‘ Day because we strongly believe that our greatest asset lies in human resources. It‘s a very auspicious moment to thank Enugu State workers and the leadership of the various unions for their toil and sacrifice. Labour creates wealth; there can never be any doubt about that. The best way to acknowledge that labour creates wealth is by ensuring our workforce, which creates the wealth that oils the wheel of government, is sufficiently motivated,” he added.

According to him, the administration would never relent in its commitment to workers’ welfare, prompt payments of salaries and pensions, including gratuities already commenced, and approval of their promotions and conversions.

“When our Smart Green Schools fully open this September, they will represent a significant economic relief for workers whose children and wards will be enrolled in the schools sited in all the 260 wards in the state. We have recorded significant milestones in the area of security, ending the illegal sit-at-home order by non-state actors, provision of security in all nooks and cranies of the state, payment of palliatives even after the federal government had stopped, payment of N80,000 minimum wage across the state down to the local government levels; and payment of gratuity upon retirement from state public service“, he stated.

Charging the workers to continue to be dedicated and put in their best effort for optimal performance, the governor promised to address some technical glitches in the state verification process. He added that the verification exercise ensured efficiency in the system and rid the state of corruption and rotten eggs.