AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI AKEREDOLU, SAN, ON THE OCCASION OF 2017 MAY DAY CELEBRATION, HELD AT THE GANI FAWEHINMI FREEDOM ARCADE, ON MONDAY 1ST MAY, 2017
PROTOCOLS,
Great Nigerian Workers!
Insuleto!  Inafrica!!
It is a great pleasure for me to join you on this important day of solidarity with workers around the world. It is no doubt a most remarkable and historic day being my first outing with the entire state workforce after I took up the mantle of leadership of the State. I once again thank you all for graciously entrusting your faith in me and our great party which contributed to the victory we recorded in the last governorship election.
I salute the courage of all our hard working men and women in the State who, in spite of the economic downturn characterised by backlog of unpaid salaries still continue to carry out their legitimate duties. This is clearly a display of patriotism and resilience which no doubt has resulted in the achievements recorded by the state so far. Of a truth, all over the world, the worker is recognised as the most important factor of production and also considered as a veritable tool of government for impacting the citizenry and bringing about positive change and socio-economic development.
The Nigerian worker is not only an important part of our history, but a pivot of our past, present and future. That was why in my inaugural speech, I promised that my administration will drive efficiency through capacity building and training targeted at retooling our public service. The welfare of workers and the good people of Ondo State is the priority of this government and you will all agree with me that it is evidenced by the frantic efforts made so far in prompt payment of workers’ salaries and gradual offsetting of the salary arrears.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is no more news that the entire nation is going through a trying time economically, which has translated into dwindling resource allocation to the constituent parts of the nation. There is a dire need therefore, for us all, particularly workers in this State, to start thinking out of the box on how to diversify our economy from the oil dependence into agriculture, entrepreneurship and industrialisation in order to boost our Internally Generated Revenue. This is a major thrust in our Journey to redemption!
Consequently, I solicit your co-operation and understanding, as partners in progress in ensuring an atmosphere of industrial peace and harmony in our effort to promote high productivity which is a prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic progress of our Sunshine State.
Let me further implore you my dear arakunrins and arabinrins to cultivate positive attitude and shun absenteeism, lateness to work and other unethical conducts which are tantamount to indiscipline and poor output in the public service. I would like to use this medium to thank the labour leaders in the state, particularly those in the health sector who heeded my appeal to the health workers to call off their strike action when I assumed office. Indeed, trade disputes are inevitable in all social environments, but with commitment to patriotic reasoning and dialogue, such disputes are easily resolved. In the interest of peace and progress of our dear Sunshine State, I urge you to embrace the rule of law in pursuit of your rights in the work place. Dialogue and due process would minimise the negative consequences caused by incessant industrial crises in our State.
Thank you and I wish you all happy May Day Celebration.
Insuleto!  Inafrica!!
