By Karen James
As part of the 64th Independence anniversary celebration of Nigeria, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has declared that his administration will begin paying the new N70,000 minimum wage by the end of October 2024. The announcement was made during his Independence Day speech at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka on Tuesday.
Governor Soludo emphasized that this move aligns with his commitment to improving the welfare of Anambra’s workers and acknowledged the financial constraints facing the state. Despite these challenges, he reassured the public that his administration is determined to deliver on its promises, having been elected two years ago.
In addition to the new minimum wage, Governor Soludo announced the introduction of free education for senior students in all public schools across the state, a significant step toward bolstering education accessibility.
The Governor used the platform to urge Nigerians to remain optimistic about the nation’s future. He called for unity in sustaining Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading economic power, noting that collective effort is vital for overcoming current challenges.
Reacting to the governor’s announcement, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra, Comrade Humphrey Chukwuemeka Nwafor, praised the governor for responding to the concerns of workers. However, he appealed for prompt implementation of the wage increase, stating, “It’s one thing to announce, but another to implement.”
