Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has given reasons why he called on his colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent of their salary for 6 months to support indigent Nigerians. Kalu’s call came via an amendment to the prayers of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by a member, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka recently.
Contributing in support of the motion, Kalu who admitted the economic hardship in the country however appealed to the citizenry to be patient with the Federal Government, saying the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has laid solid foundation for the nation’s economic growth through the various policies and programmes it has initiated, assuring that the impacts are underway. Asking the people to reject calls for protests, the deputy speaker emphasised that the solution to the economic challenges facing the country is not found in the protests but by supporting the policies of government.
Recalling that the members of the parliament also slashed their salary to assist the less privileged during the nationwide lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 in 2020, Kalu enjoined his colleagues to sacrifice for Nigerians at this time as well. A statement by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu stated that the deputy speaker also appealed to them to take the message of hope to their various constituencies. He said: “I rise to support this motion, all important, timely, rea- sonable, nation-building motion that is laid on this floor with an ap- peal. It’s only a man who is patriot- ic, believes in nation building that presents such motion. So, I thank you Honorable Isiaka for being sensitive as a leader in Nigeria. “I know many of us here are sensitive. Many of the representatives here are passionate about our country. That was why we left all the things we are doing to come to be part of a government that will grow our nation