In the spirit of Christmas celebrations, a northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), Sunday, urged other state governors to emulate the Ebonyi state governor, Francis Nwifuru, on bonus and welfare to workers.
Governor Nwifuru had announced a Christmas bonus of N150,000 to each worker in the state service. The news was contained in a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Monday Uzor during the week.
The CPS was quoted to have said that the N150, 000 Christmas bonus will be paid to the beneficiaries before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Excited by this development, the convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, in a statement said, “this is the type of personality we want to have as our leader, who consider and reconsider the situation of his people at a time like this when Nigerians are celebrating with families and friends.
“The Ebonyi governor has taken the right decision and direction and we therefore urge other state governors across the country to follow suit.
“We at Arewa Think Tank want to use this opportunity to extend our warmest greetings to Governor Nwifuru in this great and important season in the Christian calendar. It is a season of joy, of good tidings, of love and of looking out for those who may have fallen on the rough edges of life.
“We have noticed that as soon as Governor Nwifuru assumed office, he started hitting the ground running and working furiously to translate into practical and measurable terms according to his campaign promises. We therefore urge him to keep it up.
“It’s heart-warming and wonderful excitement to us, for bringing Christmas cheers to the workers through the payment of this mouth- watering bonus.
“Apart from this bonus, we want to advise that the governor should also pay special attention to the workers and also ensure that he create the enabling environment for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) which is the engine of growth, in any economy to thrive.
“Continue to tackle those critically important kitchen-table issues, which affect families and as well continue to pay down gratuities to the retired workers, and ensure that education and health facilities are given top priorities.
“This is a season of joy and goodwill. We therefore call on all Nigerians to continue to live in peace and unity and eschew tendencies that seek to divide us. As we have been saying: Politics is gone. It is now time for governance. We should bury and throw into the trash can, the cards of hatred, and stop demonising our leaders and symbols of authority.
“Our leaders across the country should continue to flow with the waves of love and unity and remember to reach out to those who may have fallen on the rough sides and patches of life.
“Let us as citizens arise together and work to extend the frontiers of love for our collective growth, development and progress. We wish our Christian brothers and sisters Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance,” the statement reads.