The Kogi State Government has announced that the payment of December salaries on December 14th is aimed at allowing civil servants to plan and fully enjoy their Christmas and New Year holidays after a year of dedicated work.
Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, explained that this early salary payment, approved by Governor Usman Ododo, would give civil servants the opportunity to plan their holiday travel and festivities without the worry of waiting for their salaries later in the month. Fanwo highlighted that a similar gesture was made during the Sallah holiday to ensure that civil servants could celebrate with their loved ones.
“The Kogi State Government has paid the December 2024 salaries today to allow our civil servants to start preparing for their holidays in earnest and enjoy the festive season,” Fanwo said. He emphasized that the state’s civil servants had worked diligently throughout the year, contributing significantly to the success of the state’s development policies and projects. In light of their hard work, Fanwo stated that it was important for the government to ensure that they could enjoy the yuletide by receiving their salaries in a timely manner.
“The early payment is aimed at ensuring our civil servants can meet their basic needs in good time for the festive season,” he added.
Fanwo also reiterated that Governor Ododo remains committed to prioritizing the welfare of Kogi State’s civil servants, recognizing their dedication and hard work. He reaffirmed the Governor’s determination to reward civil servants for their contributions to the state’s development.
It is worth noting that Kogi State was one of the first states in Nigeria to implement the new minimum wage for its workforce, further underscoring the state’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
In response to the early salary payment, civil servants in Kogi State have expressed their gratitude. Mr. Segun Adegboyega, a civil servant, shared his appreciation, saying, “The alert wasn’t a surprise, as the same thing was done during the last Sallah holiday. We knew the Governor would pay before Christmas, but we didn’t expect it to be this early. He has always prioritized our welfare, and we continue to thank him for his support.”
Another civil servant, Hajara Musa, affectionately referred to the Governor as “Mr. Alert.” She expressed the gratitude of her colleagues, saying, “We are grateful to Alh. Yahaya Bello for giving us such a humane Governor in Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo.”
The early salary payment has further strengthened the positive perception of the state’s leadership and reinforced the commitment to improving the lives of Kogi’s civil servants.
