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Members of the House of Representatives have resolved to reduce their salaries by half (50%) for a period of six months as a demonstration of solidarity and shared sacrifice with the Nigerian people who are currently experiencing economic challenges and food insecurity.
This followed the adoption of an amendment to a motion of Urgent Public Importance, proposed by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) at plenary on Thursday.
The motion moved by Hon. Isiaka Ayokunle from Ogun State was on; “An Appeal To The Proponents of Proposed Nationwide Protest To Maintain Peace, Eschew Violence and Open The Windows For Meaningful Engagements With The Government At All Levels In Order To Address Their Issues.”
The lawmaker prayed that the motion be communicated to all relevant stakeholders and the general public to promote a peaceful and constructive approach to addressing national issues.
But the Deputy Speaker moved for the amendment of the motion that lawmakers should contribute 50% of their monthly salary of N6O0,000 to assist Nigerians during these challenging times.
Kalu said the salary cut will be used to support Federal Government’s efforts to address rising cost of food stuffs in the country with the view to ameliorating the hardship Nigerians were going through.
Moving the motion, Ayokunle said whereas, the citizens of Nigeria have the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest to address their grievances; “the House presents with a humble plea, a plea for reason, understanding, and unity in the face of adversity.”
He also said, while maintaining peace and engaging in constructive dialogue with the government is crucial for the resolution of issues facing the nation, “be it resolved that this honourable House appeals to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest in Nigeria to consider a different path, a path of patience, dialogue, and collaboration, prioritise peace and open channels for meaningful engagements with the government at all levels.
The House also resolved that all stakeholders should uphold the principles of democracy, respect human rights, and uphold the rule of law in their actions and engagements, saying “we trust that through peaceful engagement and dialogue, we can collectively work towards building a better and brighter future for Nigeria.
The lawmakers said they are “aware that it is undeniable that Nigeria is facing significant challenges; challenges that have plagued our nation for far too long. The issues of insecurity, unemployment, and poverty weigh heavily on the hearts of every Nigerian. The desire for change, for progress, for a better tomorrow is a sentiment that unites us all.
“Further aware that the challenges we face are not unique to Nigeria alone. These are issues that countries across the globe grapple with on a daily basis. In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, no nation is immune to the complexities of governance and development. The road to change is not easy, and the journey towards a brighter future is often fraught with obstacles.
“But we must not lose sight of the incremental steps that have been taken, the reforms that have been implemented, and the strides that have been made towards a more prosperous Nigeria. Belief that change does not happen overnight. It requires patience, perseverance, and a commitment to working together towards a common goal.”
Ayokunle said while peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a democratic society, it is also important to allow the government the space and opportunity to consolidate the progress that has already been achieved.
The lawmaker called for constructive dialogue to seek solutions through peaceful means and stand united as one nation, one people, with a shared vision for a better Nigeria.
“Together, we can overcome the challenges that lie before us. Together, we can build a future that we can all be proud of. The House urges you, our fellow Nigerians, to consider the broader perspective, to act with wisdom and foresight, and to support efforts towards a more stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria. Let us reason together, let us listen to one another, and let us work hand-in-hand towards a brighter tomorrow,” he added.
The motion was adopted as amended and referred to the committees on humanitarian affairs, finance and budget for compliance.