Nigerian cleric, Sarah Omakwu, has called on employers across the country to increase the salaries of their workers, warning that stagnant wages can no longer meet the rising cost of living.
Omakwu made the remarks while speaking about the financial pressures facing families and workers during the current school-fees season.
According to her, many schools have increased their fees because they also need to raise the salaries of their staff, noting that workers require better pay to cope with transportation and other living expenses.
Some of the salaries we are giving people is evil. Some people still pay people ₦50,000. How will the person come to work?” she said.
She argued that employers should not continue paying workers the same salaries they received the previous year, given the significant increase in the cost of living.
You cannot be paying ₦150k last year and still be paying ₦150k this year. It will not work,” Omakwu stated.
The cleric disclosed that she had increased the salaries of workers in her own organisation, describing it as a solution to the problem of low wages.
She also revealed that a significant portion of her resources is being channelled into development projects in her village, including the renovation of schools and classrooms.
Omakwu said she had also spent millions of naira providing educational materials and other necessities for children in the community.
According to her, about ₦10 million was spent three years ago on textbooks, while uniforms, shoes and school bags were also provided for pupils.
She said the intervention had contributed to noticeable changes in the community, noting that children who previously spent time on farms during school hours were now regularly attending classes.
She further recalled that her aunt had observed that children in Kuda had become more fluent in English after gaining access to textbooks and improved educational resources.
Omakwu stressed that wealth should be used to improve the lives of others rather than for personal luxury.
That is what money is for. It’s not for me to be wearing gold and then they will say, ‘The ten richest pastors in Nigeria,’ and my name will be added. May my name never come out of that list,” she said.
