Akwa Ibom State Government is set to initiate execution of the new N80,000 minimum wage for verified workers in its employ starting from the January 2025 salaries, with arrears effective from November 2024.
The State Chief Executive, Pastor Umo Eno, made this known while speaking at the 2025 Thanksgiving Service of the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
The Lead Representative lauded the Akwa Ibom NUJ for helping out with his administration as partners in the pursuit of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, by maintaining professionalism and patriotism in their reportage.
He scolded those in the character of discrediting the state to desist from to promote greater collaboration towards the development of the state.
He especially commended the exemplary leadership provided by the current State Council Chairman of the Union in the State, Comrade Amos Etuk, and guaranteed that the state government would live up to its commitment of finalizing the Union Secretariat during his tenure as chairman.
Etuk likewise announced the donation of an SUV as an official vehicle to the chairman and a saloon car each to the eleven members of the State Working Committee of the Union.
“About the issues of my workers, we knew certainly that we would pay workers N80,000 as we promised, but we only said that we should do verification. I have heard that the report has been submitted and will be presented to me tomorrow by the Head of Service.
“Once that report is presented, for those that were verified, we will pay from 1st November, this January. It does not need any letter from anybody. Don’t let anybody deceive you that they are the ones to persuade me to do you. If you haven’t been verified into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, I will not pay you, irrespective of threats of strike action. For those that have been verified, this January, I’ll pay you from 1st November. That has been our commitment, and I don’t go back on the things I say”, the governor stated.
Recalling his administration’s endeavours towards clearing the N97 billion backlog of gratuities and other back payments of entitlements of workers in the state, likewise other expression of goodwill towards Civil Servants in the State, Lead Representative Eno reassured of his obligation to focus on the welfare of the Akwa Ibom workforce, in regard to his pact to reciprocate their support towards his emergence as Chief Executive.
In his words, “Akwa Ibom workers, we are on course. We have a pact with you because you supported us. We will work with you and ensure that your welfare is paramount and continues to be paramount because we know that you’re our backbone. Don’t let anyone mislead you.
“I am yet to see a State Government in Nigeria that treats the workers the way I have done, I stand to be challenged”, Governor Eno asserted, portraying it as misleading and in pursuit of unnecessary self-aggrandizement, the incessant threats of industrial action by labour leaders in the State.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, in his Thanksgiving speech at the event, expressed the gratitude of members, and leadership of the Union under his watch to God for the special grace to maintain the fourth estate of the realm, amid mounting challenges, likewise thanking Lead Representative Umo for making the work for Journalists through his media-accomodating disposition.
Comrade Amos Etuk said the facilitating of the 2025 Thanksgiving Service in Ikot Ekpene Udo was the Union’s way of honouring the Chief Executive, and guaranteed that Journalists in the state will keep on guaranteeing joint working relationship with the Umo Eno-led administration in the State and advance the aspirations of the ARISE Agenda.
