By John Dike, Osogbo
Local Government workers in Osun State under the aegis of Concerned Local Government Workers, have called for urgent reforms in the public service, including improved welfare, safer working conditions, and an end to casualisation, as they marked the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration.
The workers, who are affiliated to the All Progressives Congress, APC Yes/No chairmen, also declared their support for the party’s candidate n the coming governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji,
Speaking at the event, the association’s leader, Comrade Tirimisiyu Adedayo Adekunle, described workers as the backbone of governance and economic stability, stressing that their contributions remain indispensable to national development.
“Today, we do not merely celebrate a holiday; we celebrate the people who make every other day possible. If workers stop, the system stops. Therefore, the system must continue to work for the workers,” he said.
Adekunle acknowledged the sacrifices of workers across sectors, including transport unions, market groups, and civil service associations, but lamented persistent challenges such as poor remuneration, unsafe work environments, delayed salaries, and job insecurity.
He also recalled the crisis involving the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), which he said disrupted local government administration in 2025, alleging that the situation led to hardship, loss of lives, and the suspension of over 400 workers from the state payroll.
The association further demanded the abolition of casualisation, improved workplace safety, respect for labour unions through dialogue, and increased investment in training and capacity development.
Despite the concerns, the workers commended local government authorities for sustaining salary payments and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments.
In his address, the Osun State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Abiodun Idowu, assured workers that their welfare remains a top priority for local government administrations in the state.
He commended workers for their resilience and dedication, describing them as a critical link between government and the grassroots.
“May Day is not just a celebration but a time to reflect on the dignity of labour and the invaluable contributions of workers to the development of our state,” Idowu said.
The ALGON chairman pledged continued efforts to ensure prompt payment of salaries and entitlements, improved working conditions, and enhanced training opportunities for workers.
He also urged employees to uphold professionalism, discipline, and accountability in their duties, noting that efficient service delivery is essential to strengthening public trust.
Highlighting achievements at the local government level, Idowu disclosed that arrears owed to traditional rulers had been cleared, while empowerment programmes had benefited no fewer than 1,500 residents per council.
He added that each local government had graded at least 30 kilometres of roads and that 300 motorcycles had been procured for security agencies, alongside plans to distribute security vehicles to communities.
According to him, ongoing initiatives also include support for farmers, empowerment for market women, and community health outreach programmes aimed at improving livelihoods at the grassroots.
Call for Collective Responsibility
While pressing their demands, the workers urged greater accountability across all levels, noting that improved welfare must go hand-in-hand with integrity and productivity.
“As we demand accountability from government, we must also exemplify it in our conduct,” Adekunle stated.
The event ended with renewed calls for collaboration among government, employers, and workers to build a more efficient and responsive local government system.
“Workers remain the engine of this nation. Their welfare must be prioritised for sustainable development,” he added.
