Chairman of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins, has praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his commitment to workers’ welfare and the overall development of the state, describing him as a “God-sent” leader.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Martins commended Makinde’s policies, which he said have improved the lives of workers and residents alike.
“To us as workers, we call him a God-sent man. He has not failed. He has really helped the people of the state. He has a mind for the people in everything he does. He is a man who has a mind for the people he governs,” Martins said.
He highlighted Makinde’s decision to reinstate workers wrongfully dismissed by past administrations as one of his most significant achievements.
“Initially, he wanted to bring back only those who were dismissed about five or six years before his administration, but he later pushed it back to 15 years and said whoever had been wrongly dismissed should be compensated or reinstated. This shows he has a large heart, not only for workers but for the people of Oyo State,” Martins noted.
The NLC chairman also commended Makinde for resolving the long-standing issue of outstanding promotions for civil servants, a demand that previous administrations had failed to address for nearly two decades.
He lauded the governor’s approach to balancing infrastructural development with workers’ welfare, noting that “while past administrations often claimed they could not pay salaries and embark on projects simultaneously, Governor Makinde is doing both.”
Martins pointed to Makinde’s massive recruitment drives as proof of his commitment to strengthening the state’s workforce.
“During his first term, he recruited 5,200 teaching and non-teaching staff at once. In his second term, he employed 15,000 teachers and 5,000 health workers, in addition to embarking on several major projects,” he said.
The labour leader further praised Makinde’s peace-loving nature and willingness to engage with unions to avert industrial disputes.
“Whenever we have the opportunity to sit with him, he listens to us. There was a time we had an issue — at the end of it, he apologized to us, and we also apologized to him. That was quite encouraging. He is a man of peace and always seeks a cordial relationship with workers and citizens,” Martins stated.
On workers’ salaries, Martins hailed the governor for approving a minimum wage of ₦80,000, higher than the ₦70,000 recommended by the Federal Government, making Oyo one of the top four highest-paying states in the country despite its large workforce.
Martins described Makinde’s road construction projects as one of his most enduring legacies, noting that improved connectivity between cities and rural areas has boosted agricultural productivity and attracted investors to the state.
“These are legacies that our children will enjoy. He has truly given the state a new face,” Martins said.
