By Rita Mokobia.
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has restated his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, declaring that a motivated labour force remains critical to economic growth and effective governance.
The governor made the assertion at the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration in Asaba, where he also highlighted the impact of insecurity and poverty on productivity, describing both as major threats to decent work and sustainable development.
Represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori said workers continue to bear the burden of national challenges, yet remain the backbone of governance and drivers of the state’s progress.
Speaking on the theme, “Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work,” he noted that prevailing socio-economic conditions have weakened the dignity of labour, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to restore confidence in the workforce.
According to him, insecurity not only discourages investment but also disrupts livelihoods, while poverty undermines productivity and denies workers the basic conditions required for meaningful employment.
He emphasised that decent work must go beyond subsistence, insisting it should guarantee dignity, stability and opportunities for workers and their families.
The governor assured workers that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare through policies anchored on the M.O.R.E Agenda, pointing to sustained industrial harmony and cooperation with organised labour over the past three years.
He commended the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in the state for their role in maintaining stability and supporting government initiatives.
Oborevwori outlined key interventions, including prompt salary payments, regular promotions, expanded training programmes and improved workplace infrastructure across ministries and agencies.
He also disclosed ongoing construction of residential quarters for Permanent Secretaries, alongside targeted recruitment in education and health sectors to address manpower shortages.
On retirees’ welfare, the governor said pension arrears owed to state workers had been cleared, with outstanding liabilities at the local government level also addressed.
He added that social protection programmes such as the M.O.R.E Grant Scheme and D-CARES had supported thousands of residents, including traders, artisans and entrepreneurs, in cushioning economic hardship.
The governor further highlighted investments in education through bursaries and scholarships, noting that access to learning remains a key priority of his administration.
“Development is not only about infrastructure; it is about people,” he said, stressing that workers’ wellbeing remains central to the state’s development agenda.
In a joint address, labour leaders, including Delta State NLC Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Asekutu Wilson, said the Workers’ Day theme reflects the realities facing Nigerian workers.
They stressed that economic prosperity cannot be achieved without guaranteeing the safety and welfare of workers, describing security as the foundation of decent work.
The event featured solidarity marches, cultural displays and renewed calls for policies aimed at protecting workers from economic hardship and insecurity, reinforcing the central message of prioritising labour in governance.
