Sokoyòkòtò By: Comrade Allen Sowore, Esq.
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Sokoyòkòtò By: Comrade Allen Sowore, Esq.
Oh my God! Many Gen Z members might not be familiar with Sokoyòkòtò – or Efo Sokoyòkòtò, to be precise. Let me explain. Sokoyòkòtò is a type of vegetable soup, rich in protein and other essential ingredients like fish, meat, crayfish, and ponmo, among others.
Beyond its richness and flavour, the name conveys a sense of affluence and symbolizes the special care a wife provides her husband. Preparing Sokoyòkòtò takes time and requires more resources, which is why it’s usually found in the homes of the wealthy and middle class. It’s the kind of soup that, when eaten regularly, can make a man grow chubby within a few months—it’s that delicious!
Yesterday, at the flag-off of the Central Senatorial District Campaign held at Ondo City Stadium, the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa, announced the full implementation of the new minimum wage law recently passed by the National Assembly.
Instead of the approved ₦70,000, Governor Aiyedatiwa went further by adding an additional ₦3,000 to the minimum wage payable to workers in Ondo State. Now, the minimum wage stands at ₦73,000 in the “State of Excellence.”
I know some may trivialitrivialise this—what’s ₦73,000? But in reality, no worker will receive exactly ₦73,000, as this is the irreducible minimum—Grade Level 1, Step 1. I doubt if any worker remains at that basic level.
Salaries are structured according to each worker’s qualifications at entry. For example, a School Certificate holder starts at Level 4, while a graduate begins at Level 8, Step 2. For professionals, the state government has already approved Grade Levels 13 and 10 as entry points for doctors and nurses, respectively. Engineers typically start at Grade Level 9, Step 2, and the same applies to lawyers, quantity surveyors, architects, and others. Every worker enjoys promotion to higher level every 2/3 years in the service to level 17 which is the Apogee.
By the time the financial implications of the ₦73,000 minimum wage are fully calculated across the levels, from Grade Level 1 to 17, some workers might need a wheelbarrow to carry their salaries if paid in cash! Imagine the combined salary of a couple who are both on Level 16 or higher. What about those on consolidated pay scales, like Permanent Secretaries and accounting officers of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies?
Honestly, when Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the new ₦73,000 minimum wage yesterday, my thoughts immediately went to the homes of senior female workers—doctors, administrative secretaries, and permanent secretaries. The types of soups they’ll prepare will change! At least once a week, Sokoyòkòtò will be on the menu. The same applies to their male counterparts, who now have enough money to give their wives for Sokoyòkòtò before heading to the Senior Staff Club at Alagbaka.
The key takeaway here is that the implementation of the new minimum wage will significantly elevate both the living standards and economic status of the people. The essence of governance is to improve the quality of life, and this aligns perfectly with the Governor’s campaign promises—policies and programnes aimed at bringing abundant life to the people through inclusive governance.
₦73,000 as minimum wage is another promise fulfilled by Governor Aiyedatiwa, and that’s why the people are gladly embracing “O’datiwa, O’dirorun”.
Comrade Allen Sowore, Esq.
SSA to the Governor of Ondo State on Strategic Communication
October 13th, 2024
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