Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced a measure to alleviate the hardships faced by the people due to the removal of fuel subsidy. In a statement he personally issued, Obaseki expressed empathy with the citizens and assured them of the government’s support during these challenging times.

The governor acknowledged the significant increase in fuel prices, which has resulted in a rise in the cost of goods and services, as well as the overall cost of living. In response to these circumstances, the Edo State Government is taking steps to reduce the burdens and mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Obaseki highlighted that his administration had already increased the minimum wage for workers in Edo State to N40,000, the highest in the country. He affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining this wage and expressed hope for further increments if the state receives an additional allocation from the Federal Government due to the anticipated savings from the fuel subsidy removal.

Recognizing the hardships caused by the policy, particularly the increased transportation costs affecting workers’ wages, the Edo State Government has decided to reduce the number of workdays for civil and public servants. Instead of the usual five days a week, employees will now only need to commute to their workplaces three days a week. The remaining two days will be designated as work-from-home days.

Furthermore, the government plans to expand the EdoBEST@Home initiative, which aims to create more virtual classrooms. This expansion will lessen the commuting expenses for teachers, parents, and students. The Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will provide more details on this initiative in the coming days.

Another governor towing the same path is Sheyi Makinde of Oyo State. On Monday, the governor constituted a committee to review the state’s workers’ salaries as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal.

“Yes, the fuel subsidy removal is going to affect all of us but we do have control over certain things in this state, and one of these is to be proactive and engage ourselves. They may call for strike or certain actions at the Federal level but the labour leaders in the state must be aware of our own situation. So, we must appreciate the fact that our economy is fragile. We must be proactive and set the tone without prejudice to whatever negotiation is happening at the Federal level,” the governor said.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, on Monday, demanded an immediate increase and implementation of N200,000 per month minimum wage, from the current N30,000. The union also demanded adjustment on Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), like feeding, transport, housing, etc. before the end of June.

Calls for a minimum wage increase have risen in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy late last month, especially following economic reports that the federal government’s decision will have a severe economic impact on the Nigerian people if palliatives are not provided.

KPMG, a multinational audit, tax, and advisory services firm, on Tuesday, predicted that the subsidy withdrawal could see the inflation rate climb to 30 percent from June.

“Our internal macro model also supports the World Bank’s findings with a forecast of an increase of about six percent over the June 2023 inflation rate to bring it to about 30 percent,” the firm stated.

Last Sunday, in a local Church here in America, high school (i.e. secondary school) students were celebrated for simply graduating. People, it is a very big deal.  They put their names on the church board, the church’s circulars, etc – and parents over parents were testifying , congratulating the teenagers and themselves.

As  I sat down, I saw people who truly treasure any positive step taken, no matter how small. Here, families traveled days to come and celebrate a mere and simple graduation from secondary school! 

In Nigeria, did any person notice that you graduated from a university, apart from your immediate family? Simply, did that church, mosque or village celebrate you?

Here is my message: do not be too hard on yourself.  Most times, we are making progress but we rarely acknowledge anything. Do all necessary to keep improving, no matter how little. And if you do, a positive attitude will help you achieve more.

Good People, a great energy with a positive attitude helps.  Discover your happiness by acknowledging some of your little wins. It does help.

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Comment 1: Thanks Ndubuisi. I used to criticize high school graduation in the US until I realized that it is a big deal. Apart from the success, it is a passage to adulthood and responsibilities.

We don’t celebrate some successes because we think that those achievements are worth next to nothing. What we don’t value will not add value. That is why we don’t get the benefits of many of our achievements. Celebration of achievement is not just for enjoyment, it is a psychological stimulation to build on the achievement.

In addition, waiting to celebrate only when we achieve something great means we may never celebrate anything. The size of success is relative to situations. The higher we go, the higher the expectations. We should all learn to celebrate our achievements at any level no matter how small.

Comment 2: I really like the Post for so many reasons! The Professor is right on target concerning priorities, something I have personally had to balance concerning the professional life balancing the private life. In all honesty it has been a continual process regarding this balance. By coincidence, this morning in a few hours I am attending my granddaughter’s 5th grad graduation ceremony, I had to prioritize this over a important business meeting later this afternoon. Here is my thoughts, this is a one off, her 5th grade graduation, the business meeting is not. I can’t wait to tell her how proud of her I am! This going to be a lasting memory! What I like about this Post also is the fact this happens all over the world, makes me feel good we ALL have some commonality.

Comment 3: Well said, prof!
Africans should celebrate our little wins. It even has good effects on mental health and psyche.
Inasmuch as we keep progressing in the right direction.

Upbringing and background matters in all of these things too. Most of us were not celebrated that much for little our wins and achievements except the few significant ones. We are now adults. It’s not too late to celebrate ourselves and more importantly do it to our kids…

Life is what we make it to be for ourselves.

Thanks sir