In a statement issued in Abuja, Bankole, a former Students’ Union President of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, described Nigerian workers as the “mother of the nation,” crediting them with holding the fabric of the country together despite economic hardships and governance lapses.
“From the classroom to the hospital ward, from the farms to the factories, from the civil service desks to our armed forces, Nigerian workers remain the silent heroes, giving their best and sustaining national productivity,” he said.
Bankole strongly condemned the delay or denial of workers’ salaries, allowances, and pensions by some institutions, labeling such actions as “criminal and inexcusable.” He stressed that failure to meet workers’ entitlements constitutes economic sabotage and should be urgently addressed.
The APC chieftain called on all levels of government and private sector employers to promptly pay a living wage and fully implement the new national minimum wage in states and institutions that have yet to comply.
He emphasized that workers’ welfare must be a national priority, not an act of charity.
“Workers should be celebrated, motivated, promoted, and preserved,” he noted. “Their welfare directly affects productivity, security, and national unity.”
Bankole also advocated for improved working conditions, regular training opportunities, career advancement, and a transparent, digitized pension system that honors retirees.
He reaffirmed his commitment to championing the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers, assuring them of his continued support beyond the annual celebration.
