MAY LABOUR’S AGITATION ON 'MAY DAY', AVERT THE LOOMING MAYDAY – BY CHRIS MUSTAPHA NWAOKOBIA JNR.

“A minimum wage of N18,000 (US$50) is corruptive

and corruptible. Who survives in modern day Nigeria

on N18,000 a month? And how do they augment

and meet up with monthly expenses?”

Every so often, I hear that government is fighting corruption, and I wonder where we forgot our thinking caps. How do you fight corruption when the take-home of workers cannot take them home? How do you fight corruption when the minimum wage of workers is not a living wage? And how do you fight corruption where society thrives on it? A minimum wage of N18,000 ($50) is corruptive and corruptible. Who survives in modern day Nigeria on N18,000 a month? And how do they augment and meet up with monthly expenses?

I am not seeking the high office of President of Nigeria come 2019 with the regular promises politicians make, no. I am coming with solution to our problems.

The question is, can Nigeria pay her workers a minimum wage of $300 (N108,000) a month? The answer is yes. Will it reduce corruption, and make governance responsible and responsive? The answer is yes. And will it deepen the frontiers of patriotism? The answer also, is yes.

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Some will dismiss this position as wistful; but I will leave you with tidbits of how achievable it is, until later in the year when campaigns begin and the unveiling of manifestos become imperative.

1.      The government admitted that only 214 super rich Nigerians pay more than ₦20m tax per annum, and all of them in Lagos. You ask, what about the over 20,000 political operators across the country, state legislators, commissioners, governors, ministers, aides, federal lawmakers, et al, and the big business owners across the country who earn, and or declare over ₦150m per annum? Do the math and see how much income is stolen.

2.      Wonder what increase on tax on alcohol, cigarettes, and luxury goods will do.

3.      Wonder what RESTRUCTURING will do.

Enough for now, Compatriots give me your support; let us avert the looming Mayday.

Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr., a Barrister-at-Law, and social critic, is a Presidential hopeful in the forthcoming 2019 Presidential election in Nigeria.

Kindly drop your comments.