Dr. Samson Ayokunle, a past president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has reportedly urged the federal government to act swiftly and forcefully to combat the nation’s rapidly rising inflation rate, according to Channels Television. Speaking on the sociopolitical show Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, Ayokunle conveyed his profound concern on the economic instability that millions of Nigerians are facing.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Ayokunle highlighted the severe impact of rising costs through a personal anecdote. “I was to do a small poultry and they (the bricklayers) said I would need a small house which they call the pen. They would floor it and buy cement. By that time, cement was N5,300. When I learnt that cement was N5,300, I shouted. Only one bag?! I paid for the number of cements that was needed for that small pen. But unfortunately, the estimate was not right because the bags of cement couldn’t complete it. They came to me and said everything has changed, and a bag of cement became N11,000. I said, ‘What!’ I almost fainted. How many weeks difference?” Ayokunle recounted, emphasizing the instability and unpredictability of prices in Nigeria.
He revealed that the current economic climate, marked by fluctuating prices of essential goods and medicines, is untenable for ordinary Nigerians. The soaring cost of living, he argued, has made it imperative for the government to take decisive actions to stabilize the economy and curb inflation.
Addressing the issue of fair wages, Ayokunle advocated for a sustainable living wage that would enable workers to afford basic necessities. “Minimum wage should be what we allow people to wear clothes, allow them to put food on the table for their family members and allow them to take care of basic necessities like their health. Even if they don’t build houses, they should be able to pay their rent. It should be the one that will allow the people to work in offices and not steal,” he said, stressing the need for a wage structure that deters corruption by ensuring employees can meet their fundamental needs without resorting to unethical practices.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>