Council Of State Approves N27,000 As Minimum Wage

AISHA ABUBAKAR

The National Council of State has approved twenty-seven thousand Naira (N27,000) as the new national minimum wage for the country.

The amount was approved on Tuesday at its meeting in Abuja presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting which started at 11am at the Council Chamber comprised of past Presidents and Heads of State, Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), the leadership of the National Assembly, State Governors among others.

Those at the meeting on Tuesday included former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan.

On his arrival at the Council chamber, Buhari went round to have a handshake with some of the past leaders including Obasanjo.

The former President, Chief Obasanjo also offered the opening Christian prayer while Mohammed Uwais said the Muslim prayer.

One minute silence was observed in honour of former President Shehu Shagari, and late CJNs Aloysius Katsina Alu and Idris Kutigi

Former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and former CJN Mariam Muktar sent apologises for their absence at the meeting.

Others at the meeting on Tuesday include the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former CJN Mohammed Uwais.

State Governors at the meeting included Osun, Kebbi, Zamfara Plateau, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti, and Kogi.

Representing their respective governors were the Deputy Governors of Bauchi, Kaduna and Rivers.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello and Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.