Ododo boosts Kogi workers’ welfare with N72,500 minimum wage, year-long tax break

Kogi governor Usman Ododo

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

By Richard Elesho

In a move aimed at improving the welfare of civil servants, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,500 for workers in the state.

This surpasses the federal government’s national minimum wage by N2,500.

This approval was announced during a ceremony held at the Government House in Lokoja on Monday, where the state’s Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, led by the Head of Service, Elijah Avenemi, was in attendance.

The new wage takes immediate effect.

In addition to the wage increase, Ododo also announced a significant tax relief for workers in Kogi State. For the next one year, no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax or any other deductions will be applied to civil servants’ salaries. This relief is part of the governor’s commitment to easing the financial burden on workers.

Speaking at the event, Ododo emphasized his humble background and the responsibility he feels to uplift the people of Kogi State.

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He assured the workers that his administration is dedicated to using the state’s resources for the benefit of all.

“I come from a humble background and understand the challenges faced by ordinary people. By God’s grace, I am in this position to serve, not to oppress. The resources of Kogi State belong to the people, and I am here as your chief servant, to ensure they are distributed fairly across all sectors,” Ododo stated.

He also acknowledged the efforts of labour leaders in conducting staff audit screenings during the previous administration, which helped eliminate ghost workers and ensure that genuine civil servants receive their rightful salaries.

Ododo called on civil servants to continue supporting his administration, assuring them that prompt payment of salaries remains a top priority.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gabriel Amari, praised the governor for his worker-friendly policies, describing him as the most labor-friendly governor in the state’s history.

Amari also assured the governor of the workers’ commitment to their duties and their continued cooperation with his administration in achieving his plans for the state.