Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has said he was the first governor in Nigeria to implement the ₦75,000 minimum wage, assuring workers in the state that his administration would also implement any new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
The governor made the pledge at the Rights of Workers Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.
Nasir Idris said the commitment became necessary following the expiration of the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage in July, noting that it was a minimum wage and not a living wage.
He added that he would champion the matter at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum whenever it comes up for discussion, stressing that the contributions of civil servants to nation-building deserve recognition and adequate compensation.
Earlier Speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero says the Union has began preparations to enter into discussions withe Federal and State Governments for an upward review of workers salaries across the country.
Represented by the Deputy President, Audu Titus Amba, said that any minimum wage below 500, 000 naira would not cater for the needs of workers due to the current situation of socioeconomic hardships facing civil servants in the country.
The President, however, stressed that NLC was not in confrontation with Executive arm of government but rather presenting the plights of workers and the souring cost of living, expressing hopes their requests would be looked into.
COV/SANI DUTSINMA
