As part of events marking its 114th anniversary, the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) on Monday conferred its prestigious Shield Award on President Bola Tinubu, in recognition of his commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers.
The Shield Award is the Union’s highest honour, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to the advancement of Nigerian workers.
The award was received on behalf of the President by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, at Merit House, Abuja.
It was later displayed by the Minister in his office with the leadership of the Union after the event.
The awards were presented by the Union’s leadership led by its National President, Comrade Oluwole Sunday. He was joined by the immediate past President, Comrade Lawrence Amaechi, who also served as Chairman of the Occasion; Comrade Adoga Gupada, Chairman of the Federal Council, NCSU; and Comrade Yildet Bigwan, Assistant General Secretary.
Conferring the honour, Comrade Sunday described President Tinubu as a true shield of the Nigerian worker, a leader whose policies have consistently prioritised the interests of the labour force.
The Union noted that the President’s interventions have raised morale within the civil service and demonstrated genuine concern for the well-being of workers across the nation.
The NCSU, which has 84 affiliates, is the oldest trade union in Nigeria, with a history spanning over a century and predating the amalgamation of Nigeria as a nation. It is widely regarded as the union that confronted British colonial authorities in defence of Nigerian workers.
Receiving the award on behalf of the President, Keyamo expressed excitement at the honour from what he described as the oldest trade union in Nigeria. The Minister, who was also recognised by the Union for his continued solidarity with the workforce, used the occasion to highlight President Tinubu’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
“I got an invitation from the oldest trade union in Nigeria. You don’t understand, the oldest trade union, the trade union that confronted the British colonialists, is still standing today. That is the union you see here. I am excited because this is the oldest trade union in Nigeria, and you are still doing what you ought to do for the workers,” he said.
He noted that the President has consistently shown compassion for workers, acting swiftly whenever matters concerning their welfare are brought to his attention.
The Minister recalled that the President recently approved the disbursement of N36 billion to former aviation workers, with payment now at its final stage.
He also disclosed that a new salary structure has been approved for workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), resolving a relativity dispute that lingered for over 15 years.
“As of last week, what we cried to Mr. President for regarding the NiMet workers was an issue of relativity. When I came to office, the NiMet workers were the most poorly paid, and there has been an issue of relativity because they perform almost the same functions in the aviation industry,” he said.
“This matter had been pending for more than 15 years. We went to Mr. President. Let me tell you something about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: all we need to do is tell him that the matter concerns the welfare of workers. He asks, ‘What can we do for them?’ The issue of relativity that had not been addressed for more than a decade, last week they started receiving alerts. The President approved their new salary structure. Not only that, he immediately ordered the release of funds.”
Keyamo also recalled that President Tinubu signed a new minimum wage in 2024 and reduced the statutory review period from five years to three years.
“Don’t forget that it was when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power that he signed a new minimum wage in 2024 and sent it to the National Assembly, and it was implemented. But also remember that before, the statutory period for review of minimum wage was five years. President Tinubu said no, reduce it to three years,” he said.
“I am happy to tell you that next year, the negotiation for a new minimum wage will begin. That is the three-year cycle from 2024 to 2027. So in 2027, you are entitled to a new minimum wage. By law and by the grace of God, and with the thinking of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, what was done in 2024 will come to pass in 2027. You will have negotiations on the new minimum wage.”
The Minister noted that such compassion for workers is what his ministry is also trying to reflect in the aviation sector, adding that he has always insisted it is unfair to neglect workers’ welfare while top management enjoys unnecessary perks.
He however noted that the struggle for workers’ welfare is not over, saying, “Like we said in our song, the struggle for our workers will continue.”
