Minister-designates have stated they are willing to work in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari for free, following the cash crunch that has characterized the country's economy.
Their decision is not unconnected to President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement last Friday stating that Nigeria is broke and he might be unable to pay ministers.
The ministers who announced this were Adebayo Shittu from Oyo State and Professor Isaac Adewole from Osun State.
The ministers, alongside their colleagues are currently awaiting their respective portfolios described their appointment as a call to service.
Shittu disclosed that he was ready to give his services for free to Nigeria if that was what the situation demanded.
As stated by the legal practitioner and human rights activist, what matters is the intention to serve and not the financial benefits.
“It is an issue of national service. There is nothing too much to sacrifice. If that is what our situation in Nigeria demands, then we must put ourselves up selflessly. We cannot say because of selfishness, we cannot work selflessly,” he stated.
“With my background as somebody from a very humble family, I know what poverty is and I have been experiencing it. I have been dogged in conforming to the dictates of politics and poverty. There is nothing too much to sacrifice for the service of our people,” he also stated.
A former vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Adewole, in a statement signed by his media aide today, Sunday Saanu, stated he was ready to serve the nation without pay.
Saanu who is to represent Osun state said: “It is a great honour to serve one’s fatherland and I can tell you Prof. Adewole is ready to serve Nigeria without collecting salaries. Everything is not about money. It is a privilege and a great honour to serve. This is what he was doing at his former school. He was paying some teachers employed to complement government’s efforts.
“He is not driven by money but passion to make positive impact in the nation in whatever capacity.”
Immediate past governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, also stated he accept to be a minister for not for personal and pecuniary gains.
As stated by Amaechi's former aide, Ibim Semenitari, Amaechi is interested in the development of Nigeria. “If he (President Muhammadu Buhari) has not stated that he would not pay ministers, the question of whether he (Amaechi) will work for free should not be necessary. We know that we are currently dealing with hard times. For us as a country, we will manage our cost,” Ibim Semenitari stated.
“He (Amaechi) has never run for anything because he is looking for money. His interest is in the development of Nigeria,” the former aide added.