President Bola Tinubu has declared that the federal government will set a new national minimum wage based on what the country can afford.
He said this on Wednesday night at the 25th Democracy Day Anniversary Dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to the leaders of the National Assembly, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the president said the government would do what is expected and pay what it can afford.
He said, “Senate President, Deputy Senate President, you’ll get a notice if I change my mind on minimum wage. There’s nothing about minimum wage; we’re going to do it, according to what Nigeria can afford, what you can afford, and what I can afford. They ask you to cut your coat according to your size if you have any,” the president said.
The president acknowledged Nigeria’s complexity and diversity and emphasised that democratic governance remains the best road to success in any country.
“Nigeria is blessed with our complexity. Our diversity is unending, but it is the best road to success.”
He said that bandits’ activities hindering farmers from high productivity must end for the country to fully benefit from the initiatives introduced by his administration to tame food prices.
Tinubu restated that Nigeria can feed its citizens, adding that the nation will be tremendously successful if all citizens unite to pass on the charter of Nigeria’s value system.
The president called for deliberate investment in national orientation, stressing the importance of rebuilding the nation by inculcating existing goals in Nigerian society.
“The promises I could make are struggling to bring the food price down, but those bandits will leave the farmers alone and bring Nigeria back to its glory of production and harvesting. We can do it. We can produce our way out of the history of complaints and make Nigeria a tremendously successful country if we gather as we gather here tonight to encourage our children about the charter of our value system as they look up to me as a leader to make the changes what about us the rest of you, the rest of your children making those changes too what do you tell them, how do you teach them whatever we have to invest in our national orientation I think we should do it.
He acknowledged that more work must be done to reposition the country and re-orientate the citizens. “Citizenship is not just the dictionary meaning; it is the actual character in us that teaches these to achieve it”.
Adding colour to the evening five pro-democracy icons, including Professor Bolaji Akiyemi, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Shehu Sani, Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake, took the stage to recall President Tinubu’s role in the struggle that eventually crystallised into what is being celebrated.
Among the guests at the event were President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola; and the SGF, George Akume.
Also on the ground were the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Vice President’s wife, Nana Shettima, Babagana Kingibe; Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Pius Akinyelure; Chief Bisi Akande; Aremo Segun Osoba; Senator Abu Ibrahim
Some of the governors in attendance were Hope Uzodinma (Imo); Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); Usman Ododo (Kogi); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Uba Sani (Kaduna); Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers)
Ministers included those of Justice/Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi; Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Power, Bayo Adelabu; Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu; Agriculture and Rural Development, Abubakar Kyari.
Others were Senator Shehu Sani, George Mba, Olisa Agbakoba, Tony Elumelu, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel