On the 20th of November, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) announced to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that they can no longer afford to pay the N18,000 national minimum wage. According to the governors, when the minimum wage was introduced in 2011, the country was buoyant and crude oil was sold at a better price than it is today, however, due to the current situation of the economy, the states can no longer afford to pay the minimum wage.

Nigerians were still trying to get over the shock of this piece of news when the Cross River state government announced that Iyanya, a popular Nigerian musician has been appointed as the ‘face’ of Cross River. Apparently, the music star is not giving the state his face for free because he will also receive a car and monthly stipend.

Cross River will not be the first to have a state ambassador. Last year, Taylor Swift, an award-winning artist was appointed the Global Welcome Ambassador of New York City in the United States of America, however, she was not paid for the role. Instead, she donates the proceeds of her song, “Welcome to New York” to public schools in the city.

While it is understandable that the government might want to promote tourism, entertainment and investment, its latest decision to employ an ambassador, not only calls for concern, it also questions their priorities. In a recent report by NLC, Cross River was listed among states owing employee salaries, pensions and gratuities for at least six months.

If the government is as broke as it claims to be then it should be looking to cut costs and unnecessary spending every sector, not incurring more. A state that is finding it difficult to pay the minimum wage to its workers should not be able to afford the creation of a new office.

The people’s paradise, Cross River state has bigger issues to deal with before adding a ‘state ambassador’s’ remuneration to its overwrought payroll. If Cross River state is able to provide all social amenities like good roads, regular power and water supply and low cost housing for its residents, then, perhaps, the employment of a state ambassador would be a welcome idea.

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