Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has said that his administration is committed to the dignity of labor, describing the state’s workforce as the “engine room” of the economy and the backbone of governance.
Speaking on Friday at in Asaba during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration, the Governor addressed the theme, “Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work,” calling for urgent collective action to restore the true meaning of employment by addressing systemic economic and security challenges.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph D., noted that insecurity and poverty remain the greatest threats to productivity.
“As your Governor, I remain committed to protecting the interests of workers and expanding opportunities for all.
“I urge you to remain dedicated and professional as we work together to build a stronger and prosperous Delta State; this is because, today, we celebrate the 2026 International Workers’ Day in Delta State, a fitting tribute to the dignity of labour and to the men and women whose daily efforts sustain our State and drive our progress.
“I warmly congratulate all workers in Delta State and across Nigeria on this special occasion; I commend your resilience, discipline, and dedication; you remain the backbone of governance and the engine of our economy.
“The 2026 Workers’ Day theme, Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work, highlights the harsh realities undermining the dignity and productivity of labour in Nigeria.
“Insecurity disrupts livelihoods, discourages investment, and places workers in constant danger, making it impossible for economies to thrive.
“At the same time, poverty erodes human dignity, weakens productivity, and denies workers the basic conditions needed for meaningful employment; together, these challenges strip work of its value and prevent individuals and communities from reaching their full potential.
“The theme calls for urgent, collective action to restore the true meaning of decent work by addressing both insecurity and poverty; this includes strengthening security, creating sustainable jobs, ensuring fair wages, investing in skills development, and supporting workers through social protection and improved living conditions.
“Ultimately, it is a call to build a society where work guarantees not just survival, but dignity, stability, and opportunity for all.
“It is gratifying to state that within the past three years, our State has witnessed industrial peace and harmony. I must commend the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, including their affiliate unions in the State for the sustained understanding and co-operation.
“On assumption of office on May 29, 2023, I pledged to govern for all Deltans through the M.O.R.E Agenda. Three years on, that commitment is yielding tangible results. We recognise that a motivated workforce is central to effective governance.
“Let me reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the welfare and productivity of our public servants: we are implementing key measures, including the construction of additional residential quarters for Permanent Secretaries, prompt payment of salaries, and regular promotion exercises.
“We are also expanding training and capacity-building programmes while improving the work environment to boost morale, efficiency, and service delivery. Our goal is a modern, professional, and highly responsive public service.
“We have complemented these efforts with targeted recruitment, particularly in the education and medical sectors, to strengthen service delivery.
“We remain mindful of our retirees, whose service laid the foundation for today’s progress.
“To date, we have cleared pension benefits for State workers and cleared outstanding liabilities at the local government level. This is our commitment to dignity in retirement.
“In response to current economic realities, we have also prioritised social protection and economic empowerment. Through the M.O.R.E Grant Scheme and the D-CARES programme, hundreds of thousands of Deltans, traders, artisans, and entrepreneurs have received support to sustain and grow their livelihoods.
“We continue to invest in education through bursaries and targeted scholarships, ensuring that no child of Delta State is denied opportunity due to financial constraints.
“These interventions reflect our commitment to inclusive and people-centred governance.
“Development is not only about infrastructure; it is about people; a well-paid worker, a secure retiree, an empowered entrepreneur, and an educated child, these are the true measures of progress.”
The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku and his counterpart in Trade Union Congress, Comrade Asekutu Wilson, in a joint address read by Comrade Ofobruku, said the theme for the celebration “speaks directly to the realities confronting millions of workers across our country and across the world.
“A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its workers cannot guarantee the prosperity of its economy because security is not a privilege, it is the foundation of decent work “
