Hardship: No free beer parlour anymore, Tinubu tells Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain patient despite the high cost of living, stating that the country can no longer expect “a free bowl” without addressing its economic challenges.

The President made this remark during a visit from former Nigerian lawmakers at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

Tinubu acknowledged the hunger in the country but emphasized that there is no “free beer parlour,” using the metaphor to highlight that real development requires time and effort.

He further stressed the need for the government to stay focused on nation-building and restructuring the country’s financial system.

“Look at us. Agriculture that is the main thing. People say we are hungry.  

“Yes, I understand that. But we cannot just take a free bowl. We must work hard. We’ve sustained twenty-five years of democracy this year, we don’t want to keep the people hungry and angry. But we say be patient. 

“There is no free beer parlour anymore. We will retool and rebuild or nation through your cooperation,” Tinubu said.

More Insights

Speaking further, the President also bemoaned the fact that the country missed past opportunities to develop its infrastructure, education and other social amenities.

READ ALSO:

• 86 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty – AAN
• Benue Rep threatens legal action over palliative diversion
• FG will begin new minimum wage payment July 29 – NSIWC

According to him, while Nigeria was experiencing a boom in economic growth, the leadership at that time failed to develop critical sectors in the country, leading to infrastructure deficit, dilapidated school facilities, among others.

Tinubu mentioned that this the major reason the country now struggles with its current economic challenges, leaving millions to battle with high cost of living as well as the crisis of out of school children.

“No one will do it better than us. Having travelled the world and see developed countries donate themselves to collaboration, inclusiveness and financial structure.  

“Yes, there is hardship. But how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high production? We neglected our communities. We neglected the geese that lay the golden eggs. We forget to even give them common decent standard of living. We forget to educate our children.  

“Go and look at the schools, they are all ramshackle.  Education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn.  

“We can continue to complain from now till eternity that the school enrollment is low. Did we even do anything to encourage that education progresses. We must ask ourselves. It’s a matter of conscience,” Tinubu added.

What you should know

Food inflation has become an increasingly worrisome issue in the country as many Nigerians battle with the rising price of food items in the marketplace.

According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation stands at a staggering 37.52%.

Meanwhile, while the government has declared a state of emergency on food security in the country, the prices of food items continue on an upward trajectory.

In addition, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), projected that around 26.5 million Nigerians will be at risk of hunger in 2024.

Hardship: No free beer parlour anymore, Tinubu tells Nigerians

Benue Rep threatens legal action over palliative diversion

Hon. Terseer Ugbor representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State in the House of Representatives,  has instructed his legal team to take Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Government to court over allegations of palliative diversion.

Ugbor plans to challenge the accusations, seeking legal redress to protect his reputation.

The lawmaker in a statement yesterday said he is suing the state government for defamation and demanding N1 billion in damages, which he intends to use to build a housing estate for displaced people in Kwande.

Ugbor’s move followed the recent confiscation of a truckload of relief materials by the Benue State government on allegation that it was allegedly being diverted into a personal warehouse by the lawmaker.

READ ALSO:

• FG will begin new minimum wage payment July 29 – NSIWC
• Four persons arrested in Ogun for mutilating corpse of 13-year-old girl
• Edo election: Major roads Benin blocked amid heavy security

The truck, carrying palliatives secured by Ugbor from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was impounded in Makurdi by the governor, who expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.

But Ugbor said he is taking the legal action to clear his name and also ensure that the relief materials are released for the benefit of his constituents.

“In light of this development, I have instructed my legal team to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate action to safeguard my reputation and set the record straight in court.

“My support for the transportation, storage, and distribution of palliatives to displaced individuals in Kwande is not a new endeavour, yet it has seemingly provoked the governor’s displeasure”, he said.

He noted that as a legislator, his duty was to help secure benefits for his constituents adding that “in any other state, my efforts would have been acknowledged with gratitude.”

Benue Rep threatens legal action over palliative diversion

FG will begin new minimum wage payment July 29 – NSIWC

The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants has announced that the new minimum wage will be implemented from July 29, 2024.

This was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) issued at the end of the committee’s meeting sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.

The MoU reads: “The NSIWC will generate the appropriate salary templates for other consolidated salary structures for implementation; the effective date of the implementation shall be July 29, 2024.”

READ ALSO:

• Four persons arrested in Ogun for mutilating corpse of 13-year-old girl
• Edo election: Major roads Benin blocked amid heavy security
• Hookup: How I was almost killed in Abuja hotel, suspected sex worker speaks up

The committee was established to implement the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 2024, which raised the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The committee consists of 16 members.

Its terms of reference include negotiating and agreeing on consequential adjustments in salaries and developing a template for the implementation of the approved minimum wage.

FG will begin new minimum wage payment July 29 – NSIWC