The Ebonyi state Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced a Christmas Bonus of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦150,000) for each state worker.
This was confirmed in Facebook post late Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor.
He said the workers would be receiving the bonus before 1pm on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
“Every Worker in Ebonyi State service will receive ₦150,000 as a Christmas Bonus before 1pm on Tuesday… Gov. Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru,” the post read.
This demonstrates Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to workers’ welfare, especially considering the previous year’s bonus of ₦100,000.
Meanwhile, the state government has commenced full implementation of the new minimum wage act exceeding the ₦70,000 with additional ₦5,000 for Ebonyi workers, as it reiterates its consistency in improving workers’ welfare.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Nwifuru said that implementation of the new minimum wage had commenced, and the decision followed a careful review of the current economic situation in the country, especially as it affects the workers.
“According to the Governor, the least paid Civil Servant on grade level 2 will enjoy a full minimum wage of N75, 000 while from grade level 3 and above will get incremental of N40, 000 across board,” the statement read.
In another development, the Nwifuru said his government will continue to make agriculture one of its top priorities to tackle food insecurity in the state and Nigeria at large.
Nwifuru made this disclosure during the Federal Government’s collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD/VCDP) to distribute farm inputs to farmers at the agency’s agricultural equipment/input distribution event at the IFAD/VCDP office in Abakaliki.
Some of the equipment distributed included rice planters and harvesters, de-stoning machines, water pumps, rice milling machines, and cassava processing machines. Other items distributed were motorcycles, tricycles, threshers, stitching machines, and planters, among others.
Nwifuru, who was represented by his wife, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudaline Nwifuru, commended IFAD/VCDP for the gesture.
“These inputs are crucial in encouraging mechanised farming among farmers in the state and boosting food production. I urge all the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment and support both the federal and state government in ensuring zero hunger for the citizens,” the governor said.
In her remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, said the programme focused on rural poor farmers. Aliyu, who was represented by the State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD VCDP, Mr Sunday Itumo, explained that a total of 2,600 farmers benefitted from the inputs.
According to her, the farmers included 1,000 farmers for dry season inputs, 1,000 for equipment, and 600 for wet season inputs.
A beneficiary, Mr. Dickson Udu, expressed satisfaction with the gesture.
