The Oyo State Government has denied media reports that it shunned the rally organised by the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to mark the Workers’ Day at the main bowl of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan on Tuesday.
The state government, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said that contrary to media reports, the state Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, was at the rally to represent Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
It noted that the Head of Service not only took the salute at the rally, but also delivered a speech wherein he saluted the courage of past and present labour leaders for their commitment to the welfare of their members and admonished the workers to shun any act capable of causing disintegration in the state.
“He (Aremu) also called on labour leaders to continue to support the present administration in its onerous task of improving the welfare of the workers, through adequate and prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments.”
It added that the report quoting the Head of Service as saying that he was not at the programme to represent the state government could not have been true.
The state government assured the workers in the state of the Ajimobi administration’s respect for them and that it was committed to their welfare.