Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has kicked off the sale of rice to civil servants as parts of his commitment to their welfare.
The event took place at the weekend at the ‘Oja Irorun’ Civil Servants Farmers’ Market at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta the state capital.
Governor Abiodun, who was represented by the head of service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the occasion was a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the state government at improving the living standards of workers in the state.
He praised the dedication and the commitment of the workers to service, which he noted contributed immensely to the success achieved by his administration.
Abiodun said, “Ogun State civil servants’ dedication and hard work form the bedrock of the progress and prosperity of our dear state. Recognising this invaluable essence of workers to the actualisation of the policies and programmes of the state government, the administration has approved the sale of high quality bags of rice at discounted prices exclusively to the workforce.”
He, therefore, urged the workers to take advantage of the opportunity and embrace the good gesture by the state government.
In his welcome address, Onasanya, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, appreciated the government for the initiative, which is one of the many interventions by the government to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal for the state workforce.
The head of service, however, urged the workers to reciprocate the good gesture of the government by remaining dedicated to duties and collectively work for the progress of the state.
In their separate goodwill messages, the chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Isa Olude and his Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) counterpart, Comrade Ademola Ahmed-Benco, appreciated the state government for the initiative, which they said, would restore the purchasing power of the people and promote the welfare of workers.
The union leaders added that the gesture was a testament that the state has a caring and listening governor whom they are proud of, and charged the workers to reciprocate the gesture by effectively and efficiently discharging their statutory duties.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Temitope Akintayo from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as Mr. Olabanji Sanni, from the Ministry of Environment, thanked the state government for putting the process into motion and promised to keep working assiduously towards effective service delivery.
