Gov Nwifuru Announces N10,000 May Day Gift for Ebonyi Workers

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced a N10,000 cash gift to all workers in the state in celebration of the 2025 Workers’ Day. The announcement was made on Thursday during the May Day event held in Abakaliki.

Themed “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” the celebration highlighted the critical role of workers in governance and national development. Addressing attendees, Governor Nwifuru described the workforce as the “engine room” of his administration and reaffirmed his commitment to their welfare.

“I will remain indebted to the workers in this state. Under my watch, they will continue to be a symbol of excellence,” the governor stated. “Today’s celebration is a reflection of your contributions to nation-building. I understand the challenges you face, and my administration is committed to tackling them. We are dedicated to promoting a conducive civic space for all workers. We must stay united as partners in progress for a better Ebonyi.”

In a joint address, Prof. Ogugua Egwu of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Mr. Chidi Igboji of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) praised the governor for implementing the N75,000 minimum wage. However, they also raised concerns over unmet demands, including the delay in deploying shuttle buses to the state secretariat in Centenary City and the urgent need for affordable housing due to rising rent costs.

The labour leaders further urged the government to increase pension payments for retirees and improve the conditions of state government offices. They emphasized that addressing these issues would significantly boost morale and productivity among workers.