By Chuks Nwokeji
Recently; Imo State joined the global labour community to celebrate workers Day, also Known as International Labour Day in some countries. Workers' Day , is a global public holiday that celebrates meaningful achievements of workers. Is a special day that began in 19th-century with labor union movement in the United States.During that period, workers demanded and fought for better working conditions, conducive working environment, fair wages, social provision and protection.
On 2025 workers day, the performing Govenor of Imo State, Senator Hope restated his welfare policy for Imo State workers and further outlined all the inputs and impacts of his Shared Prosperity Admistration in the civil service ,which included enrolment of workers into the Imo Health Insurance Scheme, clearance of backlog of pensions, approval of promotion for workers, provision of Free Transportation, timely payment of salaries and others too numerous to mention.
When we talk about welfare policy for workers, it simply means benefits and supportive working conditions with capacity to enhance their well-being, lead to job satisfaction, and positively affect their overall quality of life, Some few examples are access to medical coverage for workers as seen in the provision of worker's clinic at the state secretariat,. free enrolment of workers into the state Health Insurance Scheme,
Workers Assistance Programs, Provision for sick leave, free transportation to work and others.
It is worthy to note that Shared Prosperity Administration of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has proven to be a worker-friendly administration with conducive working environment, provision of free transportation for workers, timely payment of salaries, renovated many offices to make their environment good and conducive for their operations, promotions and other incentives too numerous to mention.
Indeed Imo State Governor has made frantic efforts in providing conducive working environment for Imo State Civil Servants, however; in championing workers' welfare and provision of this conducive working conditions, efforts of some political appointees heading Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government have gone far in assisting the governor to create and enhance workers' friendly environment.
Imo State Commissioner for Local Govenment and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs Ruby Emele, Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Hon. Barr Jerry Egemba, Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo of Ministry of Transport, General Manager of Owerri Capital Development Authority, Hon. Franklin Nzewodo, and others have done well in helping the govenor to provide and promote workers'' friendly environment by giving workers in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies a sense of belonging with conducive working environment for their daily activities.
Obviously; there are political appointees helping the govenor to promote conducive working environment, but our focus on this piece will be on the immense contributions of Hon. Barr. Jerry Egemba towards promoting a conducive working environment for Shared Prosperity Administration in his ministry.
Some of the ways he has enhanced and promoted conducive working environment for Shared Prosperity Administration are seen in his display of positive and total support for work culture, inclusiveness, encouragement for collaboration, creativity, financial and moral motivation for optimum performance.
Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture has shown delight in puting smiles on the faces of workers in the ministry, by making financial provisions when and where necessary to make their work easy and stress free. He has build meaningful and mutual collaboration between the Ministry, sister agencies under the ministry like, Imo State Council For Arts and Culture and others.
Commissioner Egemba, is always in the forefront of making sure that governor's welfare packages and other incentives are fairly and fully distributed to staffers of the ministry. He goes extra mile to ensure satisfactory delivery of Shared Prosperity Welfare Packages to all and sundry in the Ministry of Tourism Hospitality and Culture without ulterior motive or selfishness.
Observations and numerous positive reactions have shown that workers like a leader who is considerate, compassionate and complimentary, one who gives them a sense of belonging, helps them to minimize distractions, enhances their work satisfaction and overall well-being. From actions and inactions of Hon. Egemba, he is a classic example of that considerate, compassionate, complimentary and motivational leader who delights in giving workers a sense of belonging for optimum performance.
A conducive working environment is essential for productivity, it creates supportive atmosphere for a balanced equation between work and healthy activities, supports flexibility, enhanced dynamism in operational methodology and prioritizes employees well-being.
Aside helping Shared Prosperity Admistration of Governor Hope Uzodimma to promote a conducive working Environment, here are some of his workers'-friendly qualities that has fostered a positive and productive work environment, empathy and understanding, listening with deep concerns and practical solutions to issues about workers of the ministry, headship of government agencies under his ministry with proactive and preventive measures that have created solution and a positive work environment.
The manifestations of supportiveness seen in his decisions and actions with provision of resources for conducive operations in the discharge of official duties, pursuit of growth and well-being of workers under the Shared Administration of Senator Uzodimma is worthy of commendation. ......
The commissioner has displayed high level of approachability and accessibility to workers as well as display of respect respect for their ' opinions, ideas, and contributions. Treating all employees with fairness and respect, continously involving them in decision making and
rewarding their contributions have deeply created passion for commitment in the hearts of the workers and further consolidated peaceful and progressive atmosphere in the ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture.
It is a well known fact that Govenor, Hope Uzodimma does not need to be everywhere in the Ministries Departments and Agencies to implement or promote welfare policies of his Shared Prosperity Administration, what he needs is a dependable, patriotic and workaholic foot soldiers to champion his welfare policies for Imo workers and further deliver that conducive working Environment he desired and designed for Imo workers
Without mincing words, Imo State
Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Hon.Barr. Jerry Egemba, from his behavioural manifestations and available indisputable records of contributions has proven to be that dependable, patriotic and workaholic foot soldier with unparalleled capacity to champion welfare policies for Imo workers and further deliver that conducive working environment Governor desired and designed for Imo workers. Kudos for his numerous worker- friendly efforts, Shared Prosperity Admistration needs more personalities with his kind of complimentary efforts and sterling leadership qualities for continuos promotion of Conducive working environment for Imo State Civil Servants.
Chuks Nwokeji; is Imo State Chairman Guild of Newspaper Reporters, Nigerian Union of Journalists. (NUJ)