President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dropped a hint that the Federal Government will only pay the minimum wage it can afford, saying government will cut its coat according to its cloth.
The President had in his Democracy Day broadcast alerted the National Assembly to expect his bill on a new National Minimum Wage.
He spoke Wednesday night at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, during the 25th Democracy Day Anniversary Dinner.
Addressing the leadership of the National Assembly, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on the minimum wage, Tinubu said the government would do the needful, but would only pay what it can afford.
“Senate President, Deputy Senate President, you’ll get a notice on the minimum wage. We’re going to do it; what Nigeria can afford, what you can afford, what I can afford. They ask you to cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all”, he said.
Some of those who spoke on the occasion on Nigeria’s democratic struggle included pro-democracy icons such as Prof Bolaji Akiyemi, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Shehu Sani and Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake.
Alake recalled Tinubu’s role in the struggle that eventually crystallized into Democracy Day celebration.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, also attended the occasion.
Babagana Kingibe; Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Pius Akinyelure; Chief Bisi Akande; Aremo Segun Osoba; Senator Abu Ibrahim were also present.
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).
