Nigerian Civil Servant - Contestible =N=18,000, Senators - Estimated 9 Zeros Per Annum, Qualification - Same!

In this edition of our Weekly Dialogue, we bring you a dialogue based on the announcement  made by some governors of the 36 states in Nigeria, during the National Economic Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria's Capital, on Thursday, November 19th, where they stated that they can no longer keep up with the =N=18,000 ($90) monthly Civil Servants minimum wage. 

The setting is the living room of a Nigerian retiree in a rural area in one of the Nigerian states. 

Pa Jones,  (A retiree who depends on the monthly  allowance sent to him and his equally aged wife by their four children, particularly his second son who is based the abroad) was in his living room, going through the dailies supplied by a vendor, when another retiree, (Pa Ojemba) walks in.  

Pa Jones: Ahaa there you are, I was thinking you are not going to make it this morning.

Pa Ojemba: My friend....I ran into Mr.Bello, on my way here, he was rushing to the post office to see if they sent his pension pay slip, he might branch here when he is done....(makes himself comfortable on a chair)...what is good in the papers this morning.

Pa Jones: Frowns, flips to another page...then hands over the paper to Pa Ojemba, 

Pa Ojemba: This one you quickly released the paper to me, I hope there is no suicide note in it

Pa Jones: Suicide note is better than what they keep dishing out these days, 

A young boy in his mid teens walks in with a tray containing two tea cups, a pack of tea, two spoons and a small kettle of hot water, he leaves it on the center table greets Pa Ojemba and exits.

Pa Ojemba: What is this country turning to, now state governments can not come up with =N=18,000 minimum wage for civil servants, where have they been channeling the state allocations to, what amount do they expect these civil servants to receive at the minimum, =N= 5000? 

Pa Jones: (helps himself to a cup of tea)...Maybe the civil servants should be working for free, have they stopped to think that these civil servants are human being with needs just like the governors, senators and every other person out there, that these workers have responsibilities and do not have any other source of income? I know how much my kids strive to send down here for I and their mother and this young man living with us... every month...just three people in this household, yet it is barely enough. 

Pa Ojemba: (gets up to help himself to a cup of tea).. And that is because the children are all grown and doing well at their various levels. the responsibility is greatly reduces at your level...

At this point, Mr. Bello walks in, sweating profusely, holding one of the dailies...Pa Jones calls to the young man living with him to bring a tea cup and some hot water..

 Mr. Bello: (Goes to share the double setter chair with Pa Jones).. I hope both of you have seen the dailies by now, how these people are shamelessly planing to refuse the merely enough =N=18 minimum wage, please what is the difference between a Senator who receives allowances, minus salary, gulping up to six zeros per month and a civil servant? 

The boy walks in with another tray, keeps it on the table and leaves...at that point, Ma Jones walks in to exchange pleasantries with their regular visitors...

Ma Jones: Welcome Pa Ojemba, welcome Mr.Bello...considering the fact that we all live and bear the brunt of the same economy....I am beginning to think that Peharps the Senators, governors and these "senior" government officials shop in a special kind of market, where the prices of items are higher.

 Mr. Bello: settling to sip his tea, ..and peharps they are more qualified than the civil servants..peharps they are educated in especial schools..

Pa Ojemba: Which qualification are we talking about...a civil servant today can become a governor tomorrow...same qualifications...same responsibilities yet...very wide margin in remuneration.....That is to say..once you get in there, the rule changes to "all animals are equal...but some animals are more equal"..doesn't make sense at all.

They all burst into laughter...

Ma Jones: I know politics have got its hiccups every where in the world, but in our situation, it baffles me why people who canvass for votes with promises of "heaven on earth" turn around all of a sudden to wipe the very same people in so bitter way, how can a man with three children in elementary school, a wife and aging parents fend with =N=18,000, and now they are saying that the state can no longer come up with that, meaning it is even too much to pay him? Oluwa, we are in Your Handsoooo....she said, raising her hands in the air as she leaves the room.

Pa Jone: In deep thought....heaves a sign....Hmmmm... they make these promises....which I don't buy anyways, then as soon as they get into power...they declare that they met empty treasury...then reduce workers salary to fill up the treasury...

Pa Ojemba: Whiles the ones who emptied it go scot free to enjoy their loot....

Silence in the room...as the light fades.

Dialogue copyright: Oby Denis