A mild drama reportedly played out in Anambra recently when a prominent politician was overheard in a heated argument with his media aide over a monthly stipend of ₦30,000.
While the lawmaker’s identity was not disclosed, the conversation sparked a wider debate on the value of media aides in today’s political space.
Reacting to the development, social commentator Nwanadile Ifunanya Chinenyenwa (Ada Enugwu Agidi) faulted the practice of paying media handlers “peanuts,” insisting that ₦30,000 in 2025 is nothing more than a token.
“My own monthly data bill is over ₦60,000 just to stay online and do my work. So when you give somebody ₦30k, you’re basically saying: ‘Use half to buy data and the other half to perform miracles,’” she said.
Chinenyenwa stressed that the role of a media aide goes beyond snapping photos or posting updates. According to her, it involves research, writing, storytelling, strategy, design, and sometimes even offering emotional support to principals.
“If you don’t invest in your image, it will look exactly like what you paid for. At the end of the day, let’s match value with value. If you want a strong brand, respect and pay the people building it,” she added.
