By: Ade Adeleke
The Association of Administrative Officers in Local Government Service of Ondo state, has honoured the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunday Adeleye-Oluwole and the State President of the Nigeria Union Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Bola Taiwo as distinguished Labour leaders.
The duo award recipients were celebrated for their unprecedented efforts at defending interest of the state workers in general and local government staff in particular since they assumed office.
The two distinguished labour leaders bagged the awards during the 2021 Annual Conference of the Association of LG Administrative Officers held at NULGE House in Akure, the state capital on Friday.
Flanked by some organized labour leaders, both were honoured at the colourful event attended by the Alara of Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Council area of the state, Oba Aderemi Adefehinti; the Executive Chairman of Akure South local government, Hon Gbenga Olaniyi and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the state Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa; the Permanent Secretary of Local Govt Pension Transition Office and former NULGE President, Dr Bunmi Eniayewu as well as the Chairperson of HOLGA, Mrs Adenike Ogunsola among other dignitaties.
Delivering his address, the Chairman of the Association of Administrative Officers in Local Government Service of Ondo state, Mr Sanni Emmanuel-Ojo, said the two labour leaders were honoured by the Association as a mark of appreciation for their giant strides in promoting workers’ welfare.
Emmanuel-Ojo sought the assistance of NLC and NULGE in the struggle for an equitable scheme of service that would enable administrative officers get to grade level 17 like their state civil service counterparts.
He said, “It is with great blissfulness and glory to God that I stand before you this day to welcoming you all to this year’s annual conference in which the State NLC Chairman and the State NULGE President will be given a civic reception for their doggedness towards the welfare and career fulfilment of the Union Members thus far.
“My fellow colleagues, it is exactly one year and one day ago that we convocated here and resolved that this Association should be existing in the interest of members in the space of human endeavors. Relying on the drafted constitution and as accepted by members, I could recollect vividly the confidence you reposed in me when you unanimously selected me as the Chairman of this
“The need to re-designate the office of the DLGA to HOLGA on GL 17 as provided in the Scheme of Service for Local Government Employees and other relevant Statutes.
“The re-designation of HPM to DGSA to perform the duties of that office as enunciated in the Scheme of Service.
“The need to directorate all the departments with the heads redesignated as Directors. To the glory of God and service to humanity the President therein promised that he would take our requests to the government for approval. Four months thereafter, the approval for request was partially granted, DLGA was changed to HOLGA while grade level-17 was not granted along.
“No doubt since then, the Local Government service in career progression and fulfillment has never seen it so good in the past decades. It remains a remarkable achievement under the leadership of both the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Sunday Adeleye and the State NULGE President Comrade Bola Taiwo.
“In the light of the foregoing, as it affects our cadre, we tender our deepest and warmest appreciation to you. These laudable achievements have written your name in the role of honor of gold for life in Ondo State. Once again, We say thank you.
“We still have a burning and painful problem that need urgent solution. The problem is solely germane on complete and total implementation of the scheme of service as it affects the appointment of HOLGA on GL 16 as against GL 17.
“Without being immodest, the appointment of HOLGA without corresponding right of GL -17 is demoralizing, unfair and negates the rules of our engagement in the service.
“It also weakens the status and powers of the office since most of the senior staff are on GL 16. Since we are obedient Civil Servants, we cannot seek redress elsewhere but to look up to our Union leaders to correct this anormalcy,” said Emmanual-Ojo.
Responding, the NLC Chairman and the NULGE President assured the administrative officers that all their request would be attended to.
