Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has urged Nigerians to disregard the calls by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on a nationwide strike as they do not have the interest of nation at heart.

Jang, who said he is in support of the removal of the fuel subsidy, noted that Nigerians like ‘awoof’ (freebies) too much and that it is time for that to end. He spoke to journalists at the State House, Abuja, when he came to brief President Goodluck Jonathan of the situation of things in Plateau State.

“I am hundred percent in support of the removal of fuel subsidy because we have allowed things to just happen anyway for too long,” he said. “You see, I think we just like 'awoof' let me just use that word. This 'awoof' thing has to stop. There is no country where everything is just free.”

The governor noted that even with the removal of subsidy, petrol is still not up to $1 a litre and it is still more expensive in other parts of the world, adding that anybody kicking against this is not being fair to Nigerians.

“Go to the US, it is $1 plus, go to the UK it is £1 plus; even Ghana with the removal of fuel subsidy there petrol is still more expensive than Nigeria,” he said. “I believe that this subsidy is for the good of the common man in Nigeria. Anybody that is saying he doesn't want subsidy removed is not being fair is not being sincere. This money that has been cornered by very few individuals can now be spread, more money can now go to state, more money can now go for development.”

Jang noted that what the NLC and other groups should watch out for is ensuring that the government put the proceeds into good use.

“So, I want to plead with the press; honestly speaking, this president was popularly elected and why do you think he will want to take decision that will make him unpopular?  But if being unpopular will be for the best interest of Nigeria, he has decided to take it and honestly we back him up. Honestly, the NLC has no interest of this nation at heart,” he said.

Speaking on situation in hitherto volatile Plateau State, the governor said the state has been quiet right so far. “The only attempt to bomb one church was foiled and we lost one policeman in the course of trying to foil it,” he said. “Otherwise, it has been quiet on the Plateau. The Special Task Force has been doing a good job.”

Link: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/jang-calls-nlc%E2%80%99s-bluff

He who the gods wants dead, they first make mad,

This Jang is obviously a slowpoke. The minimum wage for the average American is $1,257 per month while that of the average Nigerian is $129 per month!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_by_country