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Kenneth Okonkwo Claims N30,000 Minimum Wage Was More Valuable Than Current N70,000
Kenneth Okonkwo, the well-known Nollywood actor and politician, has argued that the previous minimum wage of N30,000 was more valuable than the current N70,000 benchmark.
Okonkwo expressed his views during an appearance on the ‘Mic On’ podcast, highlighting his concerns about the real value of wages in the face of significant economic changes.
Fire9ja reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recently approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 after reaching an agreement with labor unions.
According to Okonkwo, the value of the previous N30,000 minimum wage has depreciated compared to the new N70,000 wage.
He explained that when the N30,000 wage was in place, the exchange rate was approximately N500 to one US dollar.
However, with the current exchange rate soaring to N1,500 to one dollar, the real value of the new N70,000 minimum wage has diminished considerably.
Okonkwo pointed out that while the former minimum wage translated to about $60 per month when the rate was N500 to a dollar, the current wage of N70,000 now equates to approximately $45 per month at the current exchange rate.
This stark difference demonstrates that despite the nominal increase in the minimum wage, its purchasing power has actually decreased due to inflation and currency devaluation.
Okonkwo questioned the effectiveness of the recent wage adjustment, suggesting that it fails to address the real economic challenges faced by workers.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, speaks on the role and importance of teachers in the world to celebrate Teachers’ Day today.
He spoke on technology and its advancement and shared that while it is going well, teachers can never be replaced.
“These tools can help teachers reach learners and tailor instruction, but the judgement, encouragement and human connection of a skilled teacher remain indispensable,” he said.
“Every doctor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur and public servant has benefited from a teacher and could not have become what they are today without teachers,” the minister said.
“When we honour teachers, we honour the people who make every other profession possible.”
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