The special adviser to the president on Senate matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has said the prompt signing of the Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu is both a promise kept and a demonstration of his love for Nigerian workers.
In a statement, Lado said: “The signing of the minimum wage bill into law by his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is both a promise kept and a demonstration of his people-centric governance model.
“Tinubu promised to pay a living wage to Nigerian workers during his electioneering campaigns, and he has kept that promise.
“He did not stop there; he ensured that there is a provision in the Minimum Wage Act that now makes it mandatory to review the national minimum wage every three years as against five years in the amended Act.
“This shows that workers’ take-home pay will continue to take them home under the present administration.”
He commended President Tinubu for keeping his promise to pay Nigerian workers a living wage, which became a reality just a little over one year after his administration in office.
“The president deserves the commendation of all for staying true to his promise,” Lado said.
Lado commended Nigerian workers for their resilience and contribution to nation building over the years and urged them to redouble their efforts to deliver effective services for the betterment of the citizenry.
He also commended the organised labour movement in the country led by the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) president, Comrade Festus Osifo, for their painstaking, mature and peaceful negotiations that led to the over 100 percent increase in workers’ wages from N30,000.00 to N70,000.00 by President Tinubu.
Lado further lauded all members of the 10th National Assembly, ably led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abass, for their swift passage of the Minimum Wage Bill, which has now been assented to by the president.
He noted that their dedication to the cause of the Nigerian workers and unflinching support for the people-oriented policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration mark them out as a patriotic lot with nationalistic zeal to ensure the welfare of Nigerians since 1999.
He commended the leadership of the Organised Private Sector and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for keying into the president’s vision for an enhanced pay package for Nigerian workers in agreeing to pay workers the new minimum wage.
He assured workers in particular and Nigerians in general that the empathy, love and care already demonstrated by the President in ensuring the overall welfare of Nigeria in the last year is just the
tip of the iceberg compared to when the many economic policies he has initiated take root and bear fruit.
