The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has said his administration’s policies are designed to improve the welfare of workers across the state. 

Mr Makinde said this on Friday during the 2026 May Day celebration held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan.

Represented by Musbau Babatunde, the secretary to the state government, Mr Makinde described as apt the theme for the 2026 May Day celebration: ‘Insecurity and Poverty: Threats to a Conducive Work Environment’.

According to him, the theme paints workers with the harsh reality of the world of work.

The governor said that insecurity and poverty are twin burdens that drain productivity and destroy morale.

He said that no civil servant could deliver excellence where fear and uncertainty prevail.

Mr Makinde declared that “insecurity disrupts livelihoods, delays projects, and discourages investment, while poverty, on its part, strips labour of dignity.

“Poverty fuels desperation, opens the door to corruption, and weakens commitment to service,” the governor said.

Mr Makinde further said that his administration did not wait but acted decisively to break the cycle, having understood the consequences of insecurity and poverty.

He cited the establishment and strengthening of the Amotekun Security Network, a community-based security initiative that complements conventional security agencies.

“Beyond this, we have consistently supported security agencies with logistics, patrol vehicles, communication equipment, and other logistics,” he stated.

Mr Makinde further cited improved inter-agency coordination among the police, Amotekun, the armed forces, and other services, saying it has boosted intelligence sharing and rapid response.

The governor said that his administration believes that “a secure Oyo State is a productive Oyo State”.

Mr Makinde further said that regular and prompt salary, pension payments, implementation of the national minimum wage, clearing of inherited promotion arrears/leave bonuses, and the recent N10,000 monthly transport bonuses are testimonies to the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

He urged workers to remain committed, disciplined, and innovative and to reject corruption and embrace excellence.

The governor said that his administration would continue to build a conducive work environment through policies and collective effort.

In their remarks, the duo of the state chairmen of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro and Martins Kayode, respectively, urged the government to do more in tackling insecurity and poverty in the nation.

Mr Olabiyi-Agoro noted that Nigerian workers were not finding it easy amid rising fuel prices and uncontrollable inflation.

Mr Kayode commended the state government for responding appropriately to all issues concerning workers’ welfare in the state.

He urged the state government to make the recent 3-month transport bonus allowance of N10,000 permanent to reduce workers’ hardship.

The celebration featured various activities, including a march-past by affiliates of the TUC and NLC.

(NAN)