The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, has said the state’s industrial capacity must translate into stronger Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund workers’ welfare and development projects.

Adeola stated this during a strategic engagement with leaders of Organised Labour in the state, where labour veterans, industrial unions, trade unions and other stakeholders declared support for his governorship bid.

The meeting, which opened with the Labour Anthem, had in attendance Comrade Niyi Osoba, President of Labour Veterans in Ogun State; Comrade Aliu Ambali, Immediate Past President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Comrade Sansa of the Trade Union Congress (TUC); Comrade Lasisi; Comrade Benco; Comrade Sanyaolu; Comrade Oloyede; and other labour leaders.

In his remarks, Osoba said labour leaders in the state understood the political terrain and were ready to mobilise their members for Senator Adeola. He disclosed that active union leaders and retired comrades had resolved to support the APC candidate, adding that the combined strength of unions across Ogun would be significant in the electoral process.

Osoba added that labour was prepared to participate in Senator Adeola’s campaign structure and would put modalities in place for a broader engagement with workers across the state.

Also speaking, Ambali congratulated Adeola on his emergence as APC governorship candidate and described him as a long-standing friend of the labour movement. He recalled that the senator had been associated with labour for over a decade and assured him of the support of organised workers.

Ambali said Organised Labour was ready to collaborate with Senator Adeola and requested the inclusion of labour representatives in his technical and campaign committees. He described the senator as kind-hearted and divinely positioned for leadership.

Speaking on behalf of Organised Labour, Comrade Benco described the meeting as a preliminary session ahead of a larger gathering of workers across the state. He listed labour’s expectations to include regular engagement with Organised Labour, improved workers’ welfare, support for social institutions, expansion of employment opportunities, improved staff transportation, and policies that promote industrial harmony.

The labour leaders also requested the creation of a Ministry of Labour and Establishment, appointment of a Commissioner and Special Adviser on Labour Matters, establishment of a Workers’ Estate, a functional Workers’ Loan Board, recruitment into vacant positions, and construction of a Staff Development Centre.

Other demands included the re-establishment of a bulk purchasing scheme, payment of outstanding leave allowances, increased staff buses and routes, liquidation of outstanding gratuities, consequential pension adjustment, regular release of gratuity payments, and strict enforcement of the Contributory Pension Scheme through prompt remittances.

The labour leaders commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his interventions in workers’ welfare, particularly the regular payment of pensions and efforts to clear inherited gratuity liabilities. They urged Senator Adeola to consolidate on the governor’s achievements and sustain a cordial relationship with workers and pensioners.

They praised Adeola’s legislative and developmental record, saying his performance had convinced workers that he had the capacity to lead the state. According to them, workers would not sit on the fence but would mobilise and defend their votes in support of his governorship aspiration.

Responding, Senator Adeola thanked the labour leaders for their support and confidence in his leadership. He assured them that their requests were legitimate and would receive serious attention, adding that issues such as staff clinics and cooperatives would also be considered.

He said workers would be involved in policy discussions from the planning stage to determine what could be achieved immediately, in the medium term, and in the long term. He also promised to consider the inclusion of Organised Labour in future empowerment programmes.

Senator Adeola stressed that improved revenue generation would be critical to meeting workers’ expectations. Describing himself as a finance person, he said his administration would explore legitimate ways to expand Ogun State’s revenue base and ensure the state benefits more from its industrial strength and proximity to Lagos.

He noted that Ogun’s economic potential, including its industrial base, emerging deep seaport, gas deposits, and strategic location, would be fully harnessed to drive growth, attract investment, create jobs, and improve welfare.

Adeola commended Governor Abiodun for laying a strong development foundation across the state and assured labour leaders that he would consolidate on the governor’s achievements through his nine-pillar “Itesiwaju” agenda.

According to him, the “Itesiwaju” blueprint captures his plans for economic growth, improved welfare, expanded opportunities, and inclusive development across the state.

The senator welcomed the proposal for a larger workers’ gathering and said his team would work with labour leaders to plan the engagement. He assured the labour leaders that his relationship with Organised Labour would be continuous, adding that collaboration with workers would be central to his vision for taking Ogun State to the next level.

The meeting ended with labour leaders reaffirming their support for Senator Adeola and pledging to work with his team towards the success of the APC governorship project.