The Nigerian Civil Service Union has honoured the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, with the Best Performing Governor of the Year Award in recognition of his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, civil service reforms, and people oriented governance.
The award was presented by the National President of the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday JB, during the Union’s National Executive Council meeting held at Green Minds Hotel.
The gathering attracted members of the National Executive Council and National Administrative Council of the union from the 36 states of the federation, alongside labour leaders, civil servants, and other critical stakeholders in the public sector.
Presenting the award, Adeleye described Oyebanji as a compassionate and responsive leader whose administration has significantly improved the welfare and dignity of workers in Ekiti State through sincerity, inclusiveness, and sustained engagement with labour unions.
He commended the governor for implementing worker friendly policies, ensuring prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, while also maintaining industrial harmony and prioritising the wellbeing of workers and retirees across the state.
According to the NCSU President, the approval of Grade Level 15 status for executive officers in the Ekiti State civil service further demonstrated the governor’s commitment to fairness, career progression, and professional development within the public service.
Adeleye also praised the Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, for sustaining stability, professionalism, and cordial relations within the civil service, noting that her leadership had strengthened cooperation between government and organised labour in the state.
Labour leaders at the event described Ekiti as a model for labour relations and effective civil service administration in Nigeria, stressing that the state has continued to enjoy peaceful industrial relations through dialogue, mutual respect, and regular consultations with workers.
They noted that workers in the state currently benefit from regular payment of salaries, prompt implementation of promotion benefits, housing and car loan schemes, as well as consistent remittance of pension deductions under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The union further disclosed that the Oyebanji administration had released over N6 billion for the payment of gratuities and retirement benefits to retirees at the state level, while also sustaining a monthly release of N250 million for the settlement of outstanding gratuities.
Representing the governor at the event, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, expressed appreciation to the union for the recognition accorded Oyebanji, describing the award as a reflection of the confidence Nigerian workers have in the governor’s leadership style and reform driven policies.
Olomojobi reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, professionalism, merit based appointments, and transparent labour relations, adding that the governor consistently encourages dialogue and negotiations on issues affecting workers.
She stated that the administration would continue to improve the working conditions of civil servants and ensure that the public service in Ekiti State remains productive, efficient, and professionally driven.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Comrade Kayode Fatomiluyi, Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ekiti State, Pharmacist Olatunde Kolapo, among others.
The event ended with goodwill messages and commendations from labour leaders across the country, alongside renewed calls for sustained commitment to workers’ welfare and comprehensive civil service reforms nationwide.