NLC President Ajaero Criticizes FG’s Grain Distribution as Insult to Nigerians

In a recent interview with Arise News, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, expressed his disapproval of the Federal Government’s decision to distribute grains as a palliative measure to address the growing food insecurity in Nigeria.

Ajaero argued that this approach is an insult to the Nigerian people and fails to address the root causes of the economic crisis.

Ajaero’s comments come in response to President Tinubu’s recent directive to release 102,000 metric tonnes of rice, maize, millet, and garri from government reserves and millers’ stores to the Nigerian market.

The NLC President emphasized that Nigerians are not “pigeons or birds” and that the government should focus on implementing effective policies to improve the lives of its citizens.

The issue of the minimum wage was also a key point of discussion. Ajaero pointed out that the current demand for a one-million-naira minimum wage may be justified given the high inflation and the depreciating value of the naira.

He stressed that the demands of the labor unions are based on the cost-of-living index, which is constantly changing.

Ajaero also expressed concern about the delay in setting up the committee for the minimum wage review, which should have been done six months before the expiration of the existing minimum wage in April.

He questioned the commitment of the government to the process, especially given the composition of the committee, which includes some governors who are not even paying the current minimum wage.

As the economic crisis in Nigeria continues to deepen, the NLC President’s comments highlight the need for the government to take more decisive and effective action to address the root causes of the issue.

The Nigerian people deserve a government that is committed to improving their lives and implementing policies that will lead to long-term economic growth and stability.