The out-going Director, Women Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Funke Oladipo, has urged the Federal Government to provide a uniform salary structure for all public sector workers.
Oladipo made this call on Friday in Abuja during a Novelty Match in her honour as she exits from the Federal Civil Service on July 7, 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was a 5-aside game by her department and the rest members of staff of the ministry.
The event was organised by Nigeria Women Economic Development (NigWED) an NGO, in collaboration with African Female Youth and Student Development Initiative.
Olapido, having spent 32 years in active service, said she was thankful to God for making her exit from service in good health.
She argued that it was unfair for some workers in government to be earning more than others and urged the government to make salaries uniform for all civil servants.
“In the civil service I would want to see cooperation, uniform salary scale or emolument so that those who are in the ministry, parastatals, CBN and others earn the same salary.
“We are all serving our fatherland; we go to the same market so there is need for uniformity, if there is uniformity of emoluments in the service everybody will be able to contribute more.
“That is why those in the ministry feel they are being paid less. Why must they kill themselves working compared to those in NNPC, CBN and all the rest.
“It’s the same work we are doing for our fatherland’’, she said.
The director also urged training and retraining of workers, adding that the civil service had lots of workers but they need to be trained and encouraged.
On women inclusivity Oladipo urged the government to pay attention to the welfare of women.
“I want to implore the government, the authorities, to please pay particular attention to the welfare of women, encourage more women to come on board.
“Inclusion in service is very important, empowerment for women and support of women is crucial because the way women sees things, is not the same as men see it.
“So if women are allowed to be in leadership positions, they will be able to bring their experience there and contribute maximally.
“Women still in service they should continue to strive to be the best, whatever position you are holding, you need to work twice or even three times your male counterpart”, she said.
She urged women to strive to make impact in any area they find themselves, adding that Nigeria needs women’s contribution to develop.
Speaking the Director-General, NigWED project, Mr Lugard Okonobo, said Oladipo was honoured because of her immerse contribution to women development in Nigeria.
“Through her efforts and collaboration with NigWED we were able to establish a strong partnership which has influenced over 10,000 women in Nigeria.
“This cuts across across professional women, young girls women that are physically challenged, and also women that are into agriculture.
“In her, we have a mentor that is very dedicated, she has integrity and is committed to duty. That is why we use the novelty match to honour her. She is very passionate about football,” Okonobo said .(NAN)
By Perpetua Onuegbu