Abia state Governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) Prof Gregory Ibe has congratulated Abia workers on the celebration of the 2023 International Workers Day.

Speaking through a goodwill message released in Umuahia during the weekend, Prof Ibe eulogized the Abia workforce for their consistency, dedication and commitment to the daunting task of developing the state in spite of glaring challenges.

According to Prof Ibe, “I want to use the opportunity of celebration of International Workers Day to specially commend the resilient Abia workforce for their legendary consistency, dedication and commitment to the daunting task of developing our state even in the face of many daunting challenges”.

Continuing, Prof Ibe applauded the inventive and innovative disposition of organized labour in the state, which according to him, “enable them to persevere and creatively deliver life enhancing solutions even when compelled to operate within a politically tainted toxic work environment that reeks of partisanship”.

Turning to the unorganized labour sector, he paid glowing tribute specially to “traders, artisans, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who through their ingenuity and industry independently service and sustain the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state, thereby making Abia the SME capital of Nigeria. Without any doubt these largely uncelebrated members of the Abia workforce are the true heroes and heroines of our categorization as the Japan of Africa”.

Recalling the role played by both organized and unorganized labour during the last election cycle in the state, Prof Ibe particularly hailed the patriotic disposition of the entire Abia workforce, which according to him encouraged the birth of renewed hope in the state. In his words, “Worthy of mention is the patriotic role played by the entire Abia workforce during the recently concluded election, which resulted in the renewed hope that currently pervades our state. I therefore earnestly entreat for synergy and harmony between the governing institutions and our workforce in order to create the required peaceful environment that will in turn precipitate the delivery of the desired new Abia that we are collectively yearning to see”.

The goodwill message concluded by praying for the peace, progress and prosperity of Abia state.