By Emmanuel Elebeke

The Federal government has urged the Labour Union to be realistic in their demand for a new minimum wage for workers, saying that the relief Nigerians are expecting will not come only in the form of an increase in wages but from other packages lined up by the government.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris made the plea at the opening of the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian Workers but has kept on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers a wage system that will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardize the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.

“On the matter of the new Minimum Wage, which the Federal Government is very committed to reviewing, realistically and sustainably.

“As I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian Workers but we keep on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers a wage system that

will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardize the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.

“We want the Labour Unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of an increase in wages.

It will also come as efforts to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians. And this is where programs like the Presidential CNG initiative come in,” adding that the CNG  program alone, by replacing or complementing petrol usage with CNG, will cut transportation costs by as much as 50 percent.”

To restore hope to our citizenry and address the historical deficiencies in our economy, the Minister said that the President is charting a new course for the country through the implementation of his Renewed Hope Agenda, which has the following pillars as cornerstones: Economic Rebirth; Strengthening National Security; Boosting Agriculture and Food Security; Unlocking Energy and Natural Resources; Transforming Infrastructure and Transportation; Improving Education, Health, and Social Investment; Accelerated Diversification through Youth-Driven Industrialization, Digitization, and Innovation and Improved Governance for Effective Service Delivery.

“It is heartwarming to note that in the last year, President Tinubu has availed himself creditably in the implementation of the goals of his Renewed Hope Agenda as we have continued to witness incremental successes in the various sectors of our economy.

“The President has worked very hard to stabilise the economy through the withdrawal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy and the unification of the Foreign Exchange market, as pivotal steps towards redirecting funds to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

“As you all know, over the years, Nigeria has lost billions of dollars to an opaque and inefficient fuel subsidy regime and a distorted foreign exchange market. While these measures appeared to be beneficial, in reality, they came at a considerable cost, which resulted in the neglect of critical areas essential for our nation’s long-term growth and development.”

“With the implementation of a single policy on the withdrawal of fuel subsidies, we have seen a remarkable reduction in fuel importation into Nigeria, by approximately 50%, equivalent to roughly a billion litres of petrol per month. This is clear evidence that the subsidy on fuel consumption was not only depriving the nation of vital revenues needed for development but also inadvertently subsidizing fuel consumption across the entire West African sub-region.

“Now, in implementing these fundamental reforms, we are not unmindful of the touching reality that pains and discomfort have been inevitable, and deeply felt by households and businesses across the country,” he added.

Continuing, Mohammed noted that that the President Tinubu has never shied away from acknowledging the reality of these pains. “In his Democracy Day address delivered to the nation just this morning, President Tinubu summed it up very aptly: “The reforms we have initiated are intended to create a stronger, better foundation for future growth. There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship. Yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay, and compensation for his endeavour and labour.

“Indeed, as a nation, we are enduring short-term sacrifices, for long-term benefits. We are inspired by the bigger picture of a Nigeria where no one is left behind. Even as we go through the temporary but necessary hardship, the President is not resting on his oars. He is determined to ensure that as many relief and palliative measures as possible and rolled out for the benefit of every segment of the Nigerian population.”

The Minister, while speaking on the Synod, said the role as spiritual leaders in promoting peace, unity, and hope within our communities cannot be overstated and solicited for the support of the religious leaders in building the nation.

“Your role as spiritual leaders in promoting peace, unity, and hope within our communities cannot be overstated. Just a few days ago, your collective voice was heard loud and clear urging the Organized Labour to not allow their grievances to lead to a shutdown of the national economy. We deeply appreciate this and other patriotic interventions from you.

“We are all united, as Nigerians, by a love of country and a consistent desire to see the peace, progress, and prosperity of the land. Though tribe, tongue, religion, and political beliefs may differ, in brotherhood we stand, eternally proud of our country and full of belief in the limitless potential of its present and its future.

“It is in this spirit of unity and shared purpose that I bring greetings from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President has always recognized the profound impact of religious leaders on the unity, peace, and prosperity of our country. He deeply values the partnership between the government and the religious community in building a nation that thrives on mutual respect, understanding, and shared values.”

“Indeed, the Church, throughout our nation’s history, has been a steadfast partner to the government in championing social causes and the provision of essential social services such as hospitals and schools, as well as the inculcation of values in our citizens,” he added.

He therefore, promised that the Ministry will  collaborate with the Charismatic Bishops Conference as they implement the flagship national orientation programme, the National Values Charter, which seeks to ingrain enduring values and morals in the hearts and minds of our citizens.

“Even though this Synod has been convened primarily to discuss important matters of ecclesiastical business and the administration of the Church, I am sure that you will spare time to discuss and deliberate on the social and economic well-being of members of the Church and Nigerians in general.

“Today, Nigeria navigates one of the most critical phases in our nation’s history. We are at a juncture where significant challenges and opportunities converge, demanding decisive and forward-looking actions.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into power at a most challenging time for Nigeria, marked by serious economic challenges and a plethora of fiscal issues requiring urgent and ambitious reform.

“There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Mr. President stepped up with a great sense of courage and responsibility.

In the last year he has been implementing crucial and comprehensive reforms aimed at steering our country back onto the path of growth, prosperity, and sustainable development.

He went on to list some of the relief measures adopted by the administration to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal: They included: the wage award of N35,000 monthly to all Federal Workers, which is ongoing until the approval of the New National Minimum Wage being negotiated; the payment of N25,000 Conditional Cash Transfer to 15 million poor and most vulnerable households across the country, which started last year, was suspended to undergo a needed review and is now set to re-commence, the setting aside of 200 billion Naira under the Presidential Conditional Grant and Loans Scheme (PCGS) – with 50 billion Naira going as grants to nano-businesses (traders, food vendors, transport workers, ICT businesses, creatives, and artisans); 75 billion Naira as single-digit-interest loans to Medium Small and Micro Enterprises; and another 75 Billion Naira as single-digit interest loans targeting manufacturing businesses, which he sai the  disbursement has already commenced on the grants for nano- businesses.

He further explained that the CNG initiative, with its vast value chain potential, is aimed at bringing down transportation cost of Nigerians by as much as 50 percent, and also unlocking the nation’s huge potential in the gas sector.

“With CNG conversion centers growing exponentially and creating more job opportunities for Nigerians. Since the launch of the initiative last year, we have seen over USD 50 million in private- sector investments in setting up CNG conversion and fueling facilities nationwide.”

To address the high cost of foodstuff in the markets, Mohammed informed that the President approved the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, and an additional 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to Nigerians across the country, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable segments of the population.

In the area of security, he said, “President Tinubu has been prioritizing significant investments in modernizing and equipping the nation’s security forces.

So far, in the last year, over 4,600 hostages have been freed, more than 9,300 hostiles neutralized, and over 7,000 terrorists, bandits, and criminals arrested. Additionally, over 4,800 assorted weapons and more than 93,900 rounds of ammunition have been recovered from June 2023 to date.

“Our Armed Forces and other security agencies are getting new platforms and equipment. The Nigerian Air Force has also added five new aircraft to its fleet to enhance the fight against banditry and terrorism; the Navy and Army are equally regularly adding new platforms,” he said.

Also on security, he told the clergy that “we are fully aware that it should not only be about kinetic force, security also has a very important non-kinetic dimension to it. In addition to fighting criminals and criminality directly, we also need to be fighting the root causes of insecurity: poverty, frustration, joblessness, neglect, and so on.

To this end, the Federal Government launched the 50 billion Naira Pulako Initiative targeting seven states worst hit by banditry in Nigeria — Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Benue, and Kebbi.

“This Pulako initiative, under the President Kashim Shettima will support conflict resolution, community reconstruction and agricultural assistance to farmers and herders.

“Now, this is where you, as Clergy, as deeply respected religious leaders and influential voices, come in. As a Government, we need your support, your advice, and your feedback. Very importantly also we need you to be aware of the efforts being made, and the challenges being faced so that you can help us communicate these to your congregations and the general public.

“It is important to note that often, Nigerians are not aware of the opportunities arising from the implementation of government policies and programs. For example, the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme I mentioned earlier. So many ordinary Nigerians have benefited and are benefiting, without needing to have any ‘connection’ – all they did was to follow a simple application process.

“But first, they had to be aware of this opportunity, and how to apply and benefit from it. Information and awareness are critical, and this is where our religious leaders come in. You have very influential platforms that can enlighten Nigerians on their rights, responsibilities, and the abundance of economic opportunities being thrown up by the policies and programs being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I assured them that President Tinubu possesses the hands-on experience, vision, and dedication needed to drive  country into a new era of prosperity and progress.

“As Clergy, your role in shaping public discourse and fostering unity among our people is invaluable.

He then urged the clergymen  to support President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s renaissance and to continue to pray for wisdom, guidance, and divine intervention as they work together to build a prosperous nation for citizens.

Addressing the press, the President of the Charismatic Bishops Conference, Arch. Bishop Leonard Nature Kawas called on Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration as it faces myriads of security and economic challenges, insisting that the administration only inherited many of those problems.

“Today is Democracy Day and we are calling on all Nigerians to be patient.

We know that in the past a lot went wrong and a lot of the problems that we are grappling with today were not caused by the present administration.

“The present administration only inherited many of those problems and Mr. President and his team have shown signs that they are committed to solving the Nigerian problems.

“So we Nigerians must be patient and continue to pray for our President and our entire political leadership, because the Bible says we should do so, because those who are in authority are not there by their own will, they are there by the making of the Almighty God, therefore we must pray for them.

“We Nigerians must come to a point where we stop thinking only about what Nigeria can do for us and we must begin to think about what we can do for Nigeria. Everyone has something to contribute, no Nigerian is useless, even when you are not doing anything your positive thinking and prayers can go a long way to help Nigeria.”