The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees in Ebonyi, Mr Leo Nkah, has commended Gov. Adams Oshiomhole for approving the National Minimum Wage in Edo.

Nkah, told our correspondent that while other governors were still foot dragging, the former NLC president had taken a bold and courageous step.

“Oshiomhole has proved to be a true representative of the labour movement in government,’’ he said.

He regretted that the governors did not exhibit their present posture over the minimum wage before the April election that brought most of them to power.

The union leader said Nigerian leaders should be sympathetic to the poor, noting that it was unfair that they lived in affluence while the vast majority lived in poverty.

Mr Friday Obanor, the Chairman of Edo council of the NUJ, also commended Oshiomhole for endorsing the new pay rise for workers.

“What Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done has gone a long way to really prove that he is a labour man to the core,’’ Obanor stated.

He said the governor gave the approval for the payment, even with arrears, when some governors were yet to start negotiation with their workers.

On his part, veteran broadcaster, Mr Dele Ojeisekhoba, said Oshiomhole’s action was “an affirmation of his avowed commitment to consistently respect the rule of law’’.

He said Oshiomhole was a man of his words, as he had promised to implement the pay rise immediately the bill was passed and signed by the president.