A’Ibom Workers To Receive New Minimum Wage, Arrears In January – Gov Eno

Akwa Ibom State Government is set to commence implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage for verified workers in its employ, beginning from January 2025, with arrears from the effective implementation date of November 2024.

The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, made the announcement 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 Governor commended the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ for cooperating with his administration as partners in the pursuit of the ARISE Agenda, by maintaining professionalism and patriotism in their reportage.

He admonished those involved in the business of demarketing the State to desist from it, urging them to rather collaborate with the government towards the development of the State.

The Governor particularly lauded the dignifying leadership provided by the current State Council Chairman of the Union in the State, Comrade Amos Etuk, and assured that the State government will fulfill its promise of completing the Union’s Secretariat during his tenure as Chairman, while also announcing the donation of an SUV as official vehicle to the Chairman and a saloon car each to the 10 other members of the State Working Committee of the Union.

“About the issues of my workers, we knew certainly that we will 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 who persuaded us to pay. If you haven’t been verified into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, we will not pay you, irrespective of threats of strike action. For those that have been verified, this January, we will pay you from 1st November. That has been our commitment,” the Governor stated.

Recalling his administration’s efforts towards clearing the N97 billion backlog of gratuities and other arrears of entitlements of workers in the State, as well as other expression of goodwill towards Civil Servants in the State, Governor Eno reassured of government’s priority on the welfare of the Akwa Ibom workforce, in keeping with his pact to reciprocate their support towards his emergence as governor.

“We have a pact with Akwa Ibom workers and we are on course. 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,” he said.

He appealed to all stakeholders to imbibe the spirit of encouraging leaders rather than embarking on destructive criticisms, saying that encouragement and motivation are veritable tools to enhance performance.

Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, in his thanksgiving speech, expressed 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.

He also thanked Governor Umo for making the work of Journalism easier for them through his media friendly disposition.

The Chairman said Governor Eno is the first sitting Governor to attend the Union’s thanksgiving service, and also the first to attend any NUJ’s event in person since the past 10 years.

Comrade Etuk said the hosting of the 2025 Thanksgiving Service in Ikot Ekpene Udo was the Unions way of honouring the Governor and assured that Journalists in the State will continue to ensure a collaborative working relationship with the Umo Eno-led administration in the State and promote the aspirations of the ARISE Agenda.