At the time when the all 36 states of the federation joined the nationwide strike in demanding higher wages, the labor unions called for a minimum wage of ₦494,000 from the federal government.
In Zamfara state, however, workers were pacified by Governor Dauda Lawal’s promise to implement a minimum wage of ₦30,000 for all state workers. The workers’ satisfaction stemmed from years of hardship under previous administrations, notably those of Governors Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, during which workers’ rights were severely neglected.
Although the leadership of Bola Ahmad Tinubu has plunged Nigerians into another level of suffering, hunger, and starvation, workers in Zamfara have been subjected to an even more difficult situation. Many are unable to provide food for their families. Zamfara workers will never forget or forgive the governors who previously misruled the state, holding them accountable for their ongoing hardships.
Governor Lawal’s tenure has marked a significant change, aiming to rescue Zamfara from the dire conditions imposed by former leaders. Among his initiatives, he has started paying out ₦4.3 billion in gratuities that were owed to workers for over eleven years and resumed employee promotions that had been suspended for eight years. Furthermore, he committed to paying the new minimum wage starting in June.
“In my commitment to service delivery and the betterment of our state civil servants, I shared with the leaders of the NLC/TUC our decision to begin implementing the payment of a minimum wage of thirty thousand Naira (₦30,000) for our workers, starting next month.
This move will boost their productivity and improve their welfare and quality of life.
The civil service serves as the backbone of any government, and I will persist in enacting reforms and supporting our workers to ensure that our system operates at its best for a brighter state”. Dauda wrote in his X handle.
Due to these efforts, The Spectacles observed that Zamfara state workers did not feel the need to actively participate in the strike, trusting Governor Lawal to fulfill his promises. However, they partially joined the strike in solidarity, following the directives of the National Labor Unions.
A new era has dawned in Zamfara, where the days of meager ₦7,000 salaries are behind us. The time for strikes and protests against the state government is over. We have entered a period where workers’ rights are respected and prioritized. We now have a leader who is committed to building a brighter future for Zamfara and its workforce. The era of neglect and exploitation is gone, and a new chapter of progress and development has begun. Those who sought to harm Zamfara and its people will no longer have a place in government, and the doors of the Gusau Government House will be closed to them forever.
Zamfara has turned a corner, leaving behind a history of poor working conditions, low wages, and labor unrest. The government is now committed to creating a better future for its workforce, and those who opposed this progress will no longer have a voice in the government.
