BY PATRICK MGBODO
The true joy of every worker lies, among other things, in the ability to earn a decent living—one that covers the necessities of life: food, shelter, and clothing—before considering leisure or savings. Sadly, today’s harsh economic realities have stripped many employees of this modest comfort. For countless workers, the struggle is no longer about luxury or financial growth; it is about survival—finding shelter first.
This concern took centre stage at the 2025 May Day celebration on Thursday at the Cenotaph in Asaba, the Delta State capital. With the theme, “Reclaiming the Civic Space amid Economic Hardship,” the event drew a large turnout of workers affiliated with both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). It was a moment of solidarity and reflection, as workers—journalists, teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, among others–gathered to amplify their voices and express the growing frustrations borne out of the harsh economic realities.
In his address, the state council chairman of the NLC, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku drew the attention of the state government to the severe housing deficit and its impact on workers in the state, among other challenges. In his words, ‘’Accommodation in the state capital (Asaba) and across the state generally has become a challenge for workers. Some years back, the junior and middle management quarters were built to solve the accommodation challenges of workers. But today, workers are almost chased out of the state capital.
‘’Some of us are coming to work in Asaba from Agbor, Issele-Uku, Illah, Ugbolu, Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa. It is not as if houses are cheap there. When you ask a worker whose wage (annual) is N1.5m to pay for an accommodation of N1.2m, what will be left to feed, take his children to school and transport himself to work? Nothing. He will be left with nothing to take care of his health and other challenges that may arise. We want to appeal to you (Governor) to look into the area of low-cost houses for workers’’ Comrade Ofobruku said.
He added that real estate developers who have poured into the state like bees have made things more difficult, stressing that very costly properties are sold to the highest bidders who are, in most cases, from across the Niger. Albeit jokingly, the union leader further shared a rumour he heard from an undisclosed source about how some workers now resort to sleeping in their offices as a coping mechanism in the face of soaring rents.
Comrade Ofobruku further expressed concerns about the growing insecurity across the nation, and Delta is not an exception. While commending the efforts of the state government to equip the security architecture with more gears, he appealed for more measures to tighten security in the state, particularly for civil servants who cannot afford to pay the mind-blowing ransoms if demanded by kidnappers.
Among other requests, Comrade Ofobruku drew the attention of the government to the challenges of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) where he said that associate professors in the four state-owned universities were retired at 65 as against 70 years.
Another challenge that Comrade Ofobruku brought to the fore on the occasion was the migration of health workers and how it is affecting rural communities. Thus, he pleaded for the state government’s intervention to extend the policy of replacing health workers who ‘’japa’’ in search of greener pastures elsewhere.
May Day would not have been complete without mentioning the challenges of pensioners. While Delta stands as one of the best in the country as far as pension is concerned, Comrade Ofobruku lamented that, unlike pensioners in the old scheme, permanent secretaries and junior staff who are paid up to date, officers on SGL Seven to 17 do not enjoy the same good fate. ‘’The last time a retiree was paid was in October 2021. We want to appeal to you, Sir, to release some money so that officers on SGL 17 can be paid and be at par with their colleagues on the other levels.
‘’They said rest is sweet after labour but these days, it is getting bitter because of the time it takes to pay certain retirees. We have a suggestion. If the state government cannot release the money to pay and bring them (pensioners) up to date, especially those on SGL Seven to 17, we appeal that the government should be magnanimous to approve their salaries to be continued until they (pensioners) are paid then deduct it from their entitlements later.’’
Meanwhile, to encourage postings to rural and riverine areas, the state government had approved a special allowance for officers posted in rural or riverine areas. However, at the local government level, Comrade Ofobruku said the allowances were stopped some years ago due to paucity of funds at the time. ‘’We want to appeal that the Rural and Riverine allowances for our workers be restored with effect from when it was stopped’’
In the same vein, he informed the Governor about the concern of primary school teachers who are graduate officers and have been stagnated on SGL-14. ‘’We have been crying since 2013 that it is only in Delta State that they stagnate graduate-primary school teachers on Level 14. It has led to an exodus of primary school teachers to secondary schools and other places. We are losing qualified personnel in our primary schools. The teachers are agitated and are asking you to look into this to approve their promotion from SGL 14 to SGL 17 subject to vacancies.
Finally, Comrade Ofobruku concluded his long list of demands with the issue of the Motorcycle and Tricycles Union which he said has not been allowed to fully operate. ‘’Okada and Keke cannot operate from the office; they must go out. You have given us something, but we appeal that you allow the union to operate fully in Delta State as it is being done in other states’’
But the workers were not just out to make demands, they also showed appreciation for the responsiveness of the state government towards bettering their lot. In the voice of Comrade Ofobruku, they thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for clearing the arrears of teachers, promoting 264 teachers to Salary Grade Level 17, implementing the new Minimum Wage, sponsoring the 2025 May Day celebration, scholarship to 625 children of deceased civil servants and physically challenged Deltans, among others.
Responding, Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme said he would not take the sacrifices of the workers for granted, even as he appreciated them as the backbone of development. He renewed his commitment to building a state where every worker is valued, empowered and rewarded.
While acknowledging the global economic pressure, the rising cost of living and unemployment, among other challenges, Governor Oborevwori said his administration is working tirelessly to cushion its impact. He underscored the theme of the celebration as a powerful call to action and a rallying point for everyone. ‘’Even in the face of adversity, we must reclaim our rights, we must amplify our voices, and we must engage fully in the civil processes that govern our lives.
‘’Since assuming office, my administration has placed workers at the heart of our MORE Agenda and we have taken steps to uplift workers’ welfare and ensure you thrive in an environment of dignity and opportunity. We have ensured prompt payment of salaries and pensions, we have cleared the pension backlog and we have introduced training programmes to boost your skills. We have upgraded workers, and their workplaces, revitalized healthcare centres and renovated schools to support your work’’
Governor Oborevwori said that despite the economic challenges, he is investing in infrastructure, adding that he is also supporting agriculture to enhance food security and stabilise food prices. ‘’These efforts are designed to make life better for every worker and your families…. This is a government that works for you rooted in fairness and accountability’’ he said, even as honoured those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the dignity of labour.
‘’I urge you to remain steadfast in your commitment to excellence. Continue to work hand-in-hand with unity of purpose to achieve the Delta of our dreams. My administration will never take your sacrifices for granted and will keep pushing for policies that uplift you and your families. Our doors remain open for dialogue as we believe that collaboration with workers’ union is the path to lasting progress’’ the Governor said, even as he took out time to address the demands earlier presented by the workers.
As they took turns to salute the Governor in the custom of May Day celebrations, the smiles on their faces and their colourful attires reflected resilience for today and hope for a better tomorrow.
