Kogi State civil servants on Monday in Lokoja started jubilating when the state, Usman Ododo, the governor, commenced payment of leave bonus to workers.
Workers interviewed said that it was not just about the money but about a renewed hope, dignity restored, and trust rekindled in a government that finally delivered on a lingering promise.
The leave bonus, paid under the leadership of Governor Ododo, according to the civil servants marked “a new dawn in Kogi State’s civil service”.
Onuh Edoka, special adviser to Kogi State Governor on Labour matters, said that the governor has again surprised workers as demonstrated through the payment of leave bonus.
Edoka, who stated this while reacting to the positive development, noted that the governor’s commitment to the general well-being of workers remains second to none in the history of Kogi State.
He noted that the gesture is a further demonstration of the governor’s desire to positively rewrite the history of the state through strategic planning and policy implementation envisaged through effective industrial relations
He equally explained that the payment of the leave bonus to the workforce, even when it was not part of the labour’s demand shows clearly that Governor Ododo is a promise keeper.
“Just at the recent 2025 May Day celebration in Lokoja, the Governor reiterated his resolve to accord serious attention to workers welfare, assuring them that his administration truly sees them as engine room of government and today, we can see another surprise, what a wonderful Governor. Even when leave bonus is not part of labour’s demand, the Governor saw the need to pay this to workers again in order to cushion the effect of the hardship,” he said.
Edoka noted that the measure also further proves that the Governor proved himself as a former worker cum labour leader who knows when and where the shoe pinches, and thanked him for his genuine, sincere and responsive governance style.
Edoka also expressed appreciation to the state auditor general, the chief of staff to the governor and other key stakeholders for their positive roles in the payment of the leave bonus, stressing that their support for the governor will always be noticed and as well be duly acknowledged by all, as he
assured that all ministries, departments and agencies of government would be paid their bonuses as some are already enjoying it, saying the schedule will be religiously followed.
