May Day 2025

It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to join you today as we gather to commemorate International Workers' Day, otherwise known as May Day, under the theme: “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship.”

This occasion gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the dignity of Labour, appreciate the invaluable contributions of our workers, and renew our collective commitment to building a society where every working man and woman can earn their living with dignity, safety, and fairness.

Today, I stand before you not only as your Governor but also as a fellow citizen who deeply values the sweat, sacrifices, and service of our civil servants — the unsung heroes who keep the machinery of government running smoothly day in and day out.

Let me begin by thanking Almighty Allah for granting us this day and for His continued blessings upon our beloved Katsina State. We are grateful that despite the numerous challenges facing our country and our state, we have recorded commendable progress in many sectors — much of which would not have been possible without the dedication of our hardworking civil servants.

As we celebrate the resilience and patriotism of our workforce, let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the deliberate efforts my administration has made to enhance the welfare, capacity, dignity, and efficiency of our civil servants:

1. Timely and Regular Payment of Salaries: One of the core pillars of our governance agenda remains the prompt and regular payment of salaries and entitlements. Since taking office, we have worked tirelessly to stabilize our revenue base and restructure our financial systems to ensure that our workers receive their due remuneration on time. Our commitment to transparency and accountability has ensured that there is no backlog in salary payments, and we continue to explore ways to improve the conditions of service for our workforce.

2. Capacity Building and Training Programs: We strongly believe that investing in human capital development is key to achieving efficiency and productivity. As such, we have launched several training and retraining programs across ministries, departments, and agencies. These include digital literacy trainings, leadership workshops, conflict resolution seminars, and public accountability forums aimed at equipping our civil servants with modern tools and skills necessary for effective service delivery.

3. Recruitment of Qualified Personnel: To bridge critical manpower gaps, we have initiated a transparent recruitment exercise targeting teachers, health workers, law enforcement officers, and other essential personnel. This is not only about filling vacancies but also about ensuring that those entrusted with delivering public services are well-trained, motivated, and accountable.

4. Improvement in Working Conditions: The state government has invested significantly in rehabilitating and upgrading offices, providing furniture, computers, and internet facilities across various departments. We understand that a conducive work environment enhances productivity, and we remain committed to improving infrastructure and logistics to support our workforce.

5. Health Insurance and Pension Reforms: In line with federal guidelines, we are working towards full implementation of contributory pension schemes and improved access to health insurance for both active and retired civil servants. A worker must be assured that their health and future are secured even after retirement.

6. Recognition of Excellence through Awards and Promotions: We have instituted merit-based promotion policies and introduced annual awards to recognize outstanding performance among civil servants. Let me urge all to see these incentives as motivation to deliver their best in service to the people of Katsina State.

My dear fellow citizens, Labour is the bedrock of national development. As we join the rest of the world to reflect on the rights and dignity of workers, let me assure you that my administration will continue to champion the cause of workers — not just during celebrations like today, but throughout our tenure.

My dear civil servants, as we reflect on our shared responsibilities today, I wish to appeal to each and every one of you — from the junior cadre to the senior officers — to rise up to the occasion and match the government’s commitment with your own renewed dedication and patriotism.

You are not merely employees of this government; you are the change agents, pillars of transformation, and custodians of public trust. The success of our developmental agenda depends largely on your willingness to serve with integrity, diligence, professionalism, and passion.

Let me, therefore, call upon all civil servants across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to:

• Embrace accountability and discipline in your duties.
• Be proactive in identifying and solving problems within your areas of responsibility.
• Serve all citizens with fairness, courtesy, and without bias.
• Resist all forms of corruption, complacency, and negligence.
• Work hand in hand with policy makers to ensure smooth implementation of government programs.

To those who may have grown weary or disillusioned — remember that your work matters. Every file you process, every lesson you teach, every patient you attend to, every road you inspect, and every child you register for school contributes to building a better Katsina.

Let us therefore recommit ourselves to excellence, teamwork, and service above self. Let our collective efforts be the engine that drives the transformation our people desire and deserve.

The journey ahead is challenging, but with unity, hard work, and faith in Allah, we will build a Katsina State that is prosperous, just, and truly worthy of our children.

Let me conclude by reaffirming our commitment to justice, equity, and fairness in matters relating to employment and workers’ rights. Let us all remember that the true measure of any government’s success lies in the well-being and happiness of its people — especially those who serve daily in different capacities to make our society function.

On this historic May Day, I wish you all a happy and fulfilling celebration. May Allah (SWT) bless and protect us all, guide our leaders, and grant peace and prosperity to Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole.

Thank you and God bless you.