Christmas bonus: NLC debunks Soludo’s N20,000 gift to each worker, says he promised N8,000

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has debunked the state government claim of awarding N20,000 to each worker in the state for Christmas.

Responding to one of our Editor’s enquiry on the development, the state NLC Chairman, Humphrey Nwafor, said what he heard the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, announce as bonus for each worker for the Christmas was N8,000 for each worker and not N20,000.

Nwafor said, “It’s N8,000; it’s not N20,000. The N12,000 is the cash award he used to give that started from September. What I heard him announce as bonus for Christmas to each worker is N8,000 for Christmas rice.

Before THE RAZOR newspaper’s enquiry, the media, especially the social media, were awash that the governor gifted the workers N20,000 each for Christmas.

The press secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime, had also in a statement said the governor awarded N20,000 to the workers.

“Aburime’s statement reads: Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, has assured civil servants in the state of his administration’s continued support and commitment to their welfare.

“The Governor who stated this at the 2023 Public Service Day celebration held at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, promised cash award of N20,000 for the state workforce, in addition to their leave allowance which had been paid.

“The event had the theme; “Digitalization of work processes in the public service: A Gateway to efficient resources utilization and National development”.

“The Governor who spoke shortly after observing a minute of silence for the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who recently passed on, congratulated and thanked all civil servants in the state for their dedicated service to the people of Anambra.

“Governor Soludo emphasized the importance of digitalization in the public service, stating that it is the way to go for efficient resource utilization and national development.

“He highlighted the state’s recent digital training programme for 20,000 youths, which benefited many civil servants and assured that the government will continue to invest in digital tools and training to enhance the productivity of the workforce.

“In a bid to further equip the workforce for the digital age, Governor Soludo announced that 1,000 laptops will be distributed to civil servants in the coming year and stressed the need for public servants to be tech-savvy in today’s world.

“Governor Soludo acknowledged the current economic challenges facing the country, including double-digit inflation and exchange rate depreciation and noted that public servants, with their fixed incomes, are often the hardest hit by these challenges.

“He however, assured of his government’s commitment to support the workers. He pointed to the payment of outstanding gratuities accumulated by the previous administration and the consistent payment of salaries as examples of the government’s commitment.

“In a gesture of appreciation, Governor Soludo donated buses to public servants to ease their transportation and encouraged them to participate in the distribution of palm and coconut seedlings, stating that planting 10-15 seedlings could help them escape poverty in the coming years.

“Earlier, the Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe while thanking the Governor for the 10% increment in workers salaries and N12,000 monthly payment from September to December palliative, commended him for approving that civil servants acquire digital skills training and made a case for other needs.

“Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, members of the state executive council, National President of Anambra State Association of Town Union, Barr. Titus Akpudo, Permanent Secretaries among others attended the event.

“On her part, while speaking about the digitalization of work processes in the public service, the Chairman of the Occasion and former Head of Service, Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Melifonwu encouraged civil servants not to become weary in diligently discharging their duties.

“She advised them to take advantage of the digital skills Soludo’s administration is offering free of charge so as to be efficient and productive in this digital age.”