By Onomiguren Agbamu
The chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Chief Goodluck Ofobruku, and his counterpart leader of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Wilson Asekutu, have expressed concern over the non-appointment of substantive permanent secretaries in the state.
The duo union leaders stated this in a joint speech delivered at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration with the theme “Insecurity, and poverty are the bane of decent work” in Asaba.
The duo leaders said “ The continued non-appointment of substantive permanent secretaries has become a matter of deep concern—not only for qualified officers who have served diligently, but for the entire civil service structure”.
They said, “Appointing officers merely to function as permanent secretaries is alien to the traditions and standards of the civil service. Adding that it creates uncertainty, weakens institutional memory, and undermines the merit-based progression that keeps the service strong.”
They expressed worries over lowering the bar as a standard, stressing that “a civil service thrives when excellence is rewarded, when career progression is predictable, and when leadership positions are filled transparently and in accordance with established rules.”
They also noted that “no economy can thrive where insecurity persists, noting that farmers cannot cultivate their crops, traders cannot travel, teachers cannot teach, businesses cannot expand, and young people cannot dream freely”.
“Insecurity has robbed communities of peace, displaced families, and disrupted livelihoods. It has increased the cost of doing business and discouraged investment. Most painfully, it has placed workers—the backbone of national development—in harm’s way.”
“A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its workers cannot guarantee the prosperity of its economy. Security is not a privilege; it is the foundation of decent work.”
They added that “poverty is more than a lack of income; it is a barrier to opportunity. It weakens the workforce, reduces productivity, and fuels social tension.”
“When workers earn wages that cannot meet basic needs, when families must choose between food and healthcare, when young graduates roam the streets without jobs, poverty becomes a national emergency.”
“Decent work is not merely employment; it is employment with dignity, with fair wages, safe conditions, social protection, and the chance to build a meaningful life.”
“A society where workers remain trapped impoverished cannot claim to be progressing.”
The union leaders, however, noted that to overcome insecurity and poverty, we must commit to a collective agenda to strengthen national security through intelligence-driven strategies and community collaboration, create sustainable jobs that offer long-term stability, invest in skills development, especially for young people, and ensure fair wages and enforce labour standards so that work lifts people out of poverty.
Other solutions they proffer include supporting small and medium enterprises, the largest employers of labor; expanding social protection systems to shield workers from shocks; and promoting dialogue between government, labour, and the private sector, because progress requires partnership.
On the plight of retirees under the contributory pension scheme, they said there is growing hardship faced by workers after retirement, especially those under the contributory pension scheme, adding that many are dying in large numbers because their monthly pension cannot meet their basic needs—food, medication, shelter, and dignity.
They called on the Delta State Government to take deliberate and compassionate steps to ameliorate their suffering, saying a society that honours its retirees strengthens the morale of its active workforce.
They also said, “Workers deserve not only decent jobs but decent living conditions., They urged the Delta State government to make it a priority, ensuring that those who serve the state can also afford to live in dignity within it.
“In the same spirit, government-supported mass transit systems are essential. Affordable, reliable transportation reduces the financial burden on workers, improves punctuality and productivity, and enhances overall quality of life. A modern workforce deserves modern mobility.”
“Decent work is not a luxury. It is a right. And it is achievable when we place human dignity at the centre of development.”
Representing the State Governor at the event, the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, said the state Government remained committed to strengthening the civil service and improving workers’ welfare.
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