By Bassey Nkponam
NSIT UBIUM
The Akwa Ibom governor has assured workers in the State of the full implementation of the M80,000; new minimum wage with effect from this month, January.
Pastor Umo Eno, who announced this, yesterday, during the 2025 New Year Thanksgiving Service of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, which took place at The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, with the theme, “Grace Upon Grace”, said government will equally pay arrears of two months by the end of this month.
Eno said the report of the committee for the verification was ready and will be presented to him today, by the Head of Civil Service, Elder Efiong Essien.
He said once the report is presented, those that were verified will be paid the new minimum wage
“I have heard that the report has been submitted, but the report will be presented to me tomorrow by the Head of Service.
“Once the report is presented, those that were verified, will be paid this January. It does not need any letter from anybody. Don’t let anybody deceive you that they persuaded me to do that.
“I am yet to see a State government in Nigeria that treats the workers the way I have done. I stand to be challenged.
“It is regretting that you always resort to go on strike in every little misunderstanding.
“Please, I have stated it repeatedly that you should not use strike to make jokes so that we will know when you are serious. If you continue to use strike to threaten us, one day I will leave you to go on strike but you should understand that my State Executive members will not go on strike, and it will be very difficult for my SSG to go on strike, and it is not possible for my permanent secretaries to go on strike.
“We now have computers and printers in our houses. During the Covid-19, everyone went on strike but things were still moving. I am not one of those persons you threaten with strikes. There is no need for those things”.
Eno thanked the State council of the NUJ for the honour done him, by bringing their New Year Thanksgiving event to his home church.
The governor lauded the union for its commitment in positively projecting the state and government, noting that though government may not be right in all aspects, constructive criticisms by the media can put government on the right path.
He sought continued collaboration with the media in the State for successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda for the benefit of the State and its people, as Akwa Ibom State belongs to all.
In their separate goodwill messages at the event, the member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Obong Paul Ekpo, member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Otobong Bob, and the chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Mr Alfred Charles, acknowledged the contributions of the NUJ in the development of the State, and appreciated the governor for hosting the union’s thanksgiving service in his home church.
The State chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, thanked the governor for hosting the union and for attending the event personally, even as he also thanked the governor for his support to the union in the last 20 months of his administration.
Etuk acknowledged the laudable achievements of the governor in the State in the last 20 months and attributed the success to the grace of God upon his life.
He lauded the media- friendly disposition of the governor which he said earned him series of media awards from the media community in and outside the State.
He said the essence of the thanksgiving was for the union to thank God for keeping their members safe in 2024, and to hand over the members to God for safe keeping in 2025, recalling that the event which began years ago, has become annual ritual for the union.
In his homily themed, “Grace Upon Grace”, drawn from John 1:14-16, the Uyo Field Superintendent of the Apostolic Church Nigeria, Apostle Ime George, said God’s grace enables people to grow in knowledge, and mature in character, describing the theme of the event as apt, adding that media work is not for those who are not mature in understanding and communication, which is why people commit lots of havocs because they jumped into professions not meant for them.
George described the media as eyes to the eyeless, mouth to the voiceless, ear to the earless, hand leg to those who do not have.
According to him, grace to achieve one’s purpose in life comes from God, and to have this grace requires accepting God, opening your heart to him, and always asking for God’s forgiveness.
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