President Bola Tinubu expressed his commitment to improving the living and working conditions of all Nigerian workers, stating that those who operate the nation’s machinery deserve fair wages and enhanced welfare.
Tinubu conveyed this pledge in his inaugural May Day message dedicated to workers nationwide.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, communicated the President’s remarks in a statement signed Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu salutes Nigerian workers on May Day.’
According to Ngelale, the President affirmed his administration’s dedication to enhancing the welfare of all workers, highlighting various relief programs, including wage increases and an upcoming review of the minimum wage.
“President Tinubu firmly holds the belief that those entrusted with the nation’s machinery deserve fair wages and improved welfare, emphasizing that workers should receive not just any compensation but fair and equitable pay.
“The President reassures Nigerian workers of his unwavering commitment to not only enhancing their welfare but also improving their working conditions and equipping them with the necessary resources for success,” the statement stated.
These statements come amidst a cost of living crisis believed to be a consequence of the stringent economic reforms pursued by his administration.
Upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu enacted the discontinuation of petrol subsidies as previously approved by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
He argued that this action would allow the government to allocate funds for extensive infrastructural development.
Tinubu also implemented the unification of foreign exchange rates to address currency arbitrage and other forms of forex malpractices.
However, these measures led to secondary instability in the Naira’s value and exacerbated hardship for Nigerians as food prices surged.
During a high-level panel session at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, April 28, Tinubu defended the removal of the petrol subsidy as a “necessary action to prevent bankruptcy for my country” and to “restructure the economy towards growth.”
On May Day, President Tinubu praised Nigerian workers for their dedication to the peace, progress, and development of the nation, evident in their tireless efforts and patriotic spirit to keep the national engine running.
He applauded workers across all sectors, from clerical officers ensuring proper documentation and distribution of correspondence to security officers remaining dutiful throughout all seasons, and teachers securing the future by imparting knowledge to the next generation.
He also commended doctors tirelessly saving lives and all Nigerian workers keeping the flame of progress burning.
“The President extends his best wishes to Nigerian workers for a Happy May Day celebration,” the statement concluded.
The celebration of Workers’ Day in Nigeria traces back to the People’s Redemption Party government in Kaduna and Kano, which in 1980 designated May 1 as a public holiday to commemorate International Workers’ Day.
In 1981, the Federal Government under Shehu Shagari officially declared May 1 as a national holiday to honor International Workers’ Day.
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