President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governors to promptly implement wage awards to alleviate economic hardships faced by citizens while awaiting the determination of the new minimum wage. He emphasised that such implementation would offer relief without causing inflationary pressures.
Speaking at the launch of an agricultural mechanisation initiative for food security and the reopening of the remodelled domestic terminal at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, the President emphasised the importance of adopting the wage awards by all states, with plans for the National Executive Council to follow suit.
Tinubu stated, “If all of you, the sub-nationals have been paying the wages award, pending the determination of the new salary wage, let all the states start paying the wages award. Whatever they are taking now plus the wage award would relieve the public.”
He further assured the commencement of student loans and other economic measures to alleviate hunger, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing societal challenges.
Moreover, Tinubu outlined plans for a Livestock Change programme aimed at transforming challenges such as violent attacks and cattle rustling into economic opportunities. He pledged to inaugurate the initiative within the next few weeks.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, highlighted the state’s commitment to agriculture as a means to address economic challenges. He disclosed ambitious plans to rehabilitate infrastructure and expand agricultural zones, aiming for significant contributions to food security and economic growth.
Governor Bago also announced partnerships with other states, including Lagos, to enhance agricultural productivity and stimulate economic growth.
The event was attended by governors from various states, ministers, senators, and legislators from both federal and state levels, underscoring the collective commitment to addressing agricultural challenges and fostering economic development.
