President Bola Tinubu has announced that after much debate, the Federal Government and organised labour have reached a consensus on the new minimum wage.
During his national broadcast for the 2024 Democracy Day in Abuja, Tinubu stated that an executive bill will be soon presented to the National Assembly to formalize the agreement on the new minimum wage.
He expressed that the negotiations with organised labour were conducted in good faith and with transparency, and emphasized that the executive bill will be sent to the National Assembly to establish the agreed-upon minimum wage as part of the law for the next five years or less.
He stressed that his administration opted for a democratic approach instead of a dictatorial one when addressing the demands of labor unions.
"When faced with the threat of a national strike by labor, we did not attempt to suppress or oppress the workers as a dictatorial government might have. We chose to pursue cooperation rather than confrontation.
No one was detained or intimidated. Instead, labor leaders were invited to engage in discussions and negotiate in good faith for a resolution. Rational dialogue and principled compromise are key aspects of democracy.
These principles will continue to guide my policies and interactions with the various components of our political economy," he stated.
The President made a promise to guarantee that no Nigerian will suffer from oppression.
He stated, "I embrace this important responsibility with courage and impartiality, and I dedicate myself to this mission until we create a Nigeria where no individual experiences oppression. Ultimately, our country's success will not come from taking the easy path, but from choosing the correct one.
The words of former American President Franklin Roosevelt hold true: There are numerous ways to make progress, but standing still is not one of them."
Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to remain optimistic and not lose hope for a better future. He emphasized the importance of not being complacent and missing out on the good things that lie ahead.
Tinubu also stressed the need to keep moving forward and to embrace the opportunities that democracy and its institutions offer.
He called for unity in progressing towards a brighter future for Nigeria and urged everyone to uphold the flame of democracy for future generations.