By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

Prof. Nnamdi Benson Onyire of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University/Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, has begged the Nigerian political leaders, who lead people at different governmental strata, to start paying workers living wages, which can take care of their sundry needs.

He made the call on the occasion of the workers commemoration of the workers’ day, which took place on May 1, 2026 in the states of the federation.

He, also, suggested that government should subsidize the workers’ health care treatment, transport fare, their children’s education, and others.

“Governments should ensure that the governments-workers’ relationship is beneficial to workers by ensuring that workers are paid living wages, as and when due.

“They should, also, provide free or subsidized housing, health care treatment, and transport fares for workers. And our children’s education should be free or subsidized,” Onyire said.

More so, Onyire advised the workers to be good citizens of Nigeria, who abide by the civil service rules in order to avoid being punished.

Again, a primary school teacher at Obosi Central School, Mrs. Bernard Ukamaka, begged the Anambra state government to increase their salaries as they spend a great deal of money to commute to and from schools on work days.

And, Mr. Jeff. Agbodo, a journalist, who works for Vanguard newspaper, stated that it is necessary for the states to implement a harmonized and correct minimum wage template.

He made the comment against the background of our country’s worsening economic situation, which has plunged millions of Nigerians below the breadline.

Furthermore, companies and individuals, who have employees, should, also, pay them living wages in order for them to live decent lives.

And political leaders who lead people at different governmental levels should not treat civil and public servants in a cavalier manner since it is civil servants that formulate government policies, and implement them.

•Chiedu is of the Anambra State Ministry of Information.