Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has revealed that his administration will begin paying a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 starting in October 2024. The announcement was made during a parade ceremony at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, in celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.
Governor Soludo also introduced free education for senior students in all public schools across the state, emphasizing that despite financial constraints, his government is committed to fulfilling its promises. Acknowledging the nation’s challenges, Soludo expressed optimism for the future, stating, “Our tomorrow will be greater than our today. I see hope, prosperity, and joy.” He praised Nigeria’s founding fathers and stressed the importance of unity, envisioning a future where Nigeria ranks among the world’s top five economies with effective resource management.
In addition to education reforms, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to improving governance, referencing the recent local government elections as evidence of progress. He called for collaborations to address education gaps, noting that 77 communities in the state lack government primary and secondary schools.
The announcement was met with praise from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) State Chairman, Comrade Humphrey Chukwuemeka Nwafor, who commended the governor but stressed the importance of implementing the new wage. The event was attended by key officials, including Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Speaker Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze.
