...We’ll pay what we can afford — President
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hinted that the federal government will only pay the minimum wage it can afford, saying that the country will cut its coat according to its cloth.
The president, earlier in his Democracy Day broadcast, alerted the National Assembly to expect his memorandum on the final settlement for a new National Minimum Wage.
Tinubu spoke on Wednesday night at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, during the 25th Democracy Day Anniversary Dinner.
Speaking to the leaders of the National Assembly, represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the president said the government would do what was expected but would also pay what it could afford.
He said, “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.”
Responding to the social media reaction after he missed a step while climbing into the parade jeep, President Tinubu described the incident as a “dobale”, the Yoruba word for prostrating.
He said that as a traditional Yoruba “boy” he was doing dobale at the Eagle Square as democracy was worth falling for.
He further said, “June 12 represents the heart and soul of our democratic struggle in the country.
“Early this morning, I had a swagger, and it’s on social media. They are confused whether I was doing buga or doing babaringa, but it is a day to celebrate democracy while doing dobale for democracy.
“I am traditionally a Yoruba boy, I did my dobale. Democracy is a day that is worthy of falling for.”
Among those that spoke at the occasion on democratic struggle in Nigeria were prodemocracy icons, including Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Shehu Sani and Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake, who recalled President Tinubu’s role in the struggle that eventually crystallised into Democracy Day.
Also on ground were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima.
Babagana Kingibe; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Abu Ibrahim were also present.
Some of the governors in attendance are 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).