Nigerians in all fields have commended Barrister Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of State for Labour and Employment, for refusing to bow to the wishes of the Nigerian Senators who were bent on coercing him to allow them share slots for the public works programme of the federal government.
Keyamo had earlier said 774,000 jobs will be created across the 774 local government areas of the country. Keyamo had said that he would rather resign from the job if the president wishes but he can never yield to the pressure of the Nigerian Senators.
A video in circulation shows a rowdy session during the meeting between the joint committee of the Senators and House of Representatives on Labour and Employment. Keyamo was heard telling the Senators that they cannot expose corruption without the cameras.
It was gathered the Senators wanted a closed door meeting with him away from the media but Keyamo insisted that the meeting should be done in the presence of the media, insisting that Nigerian people needed to know what happened in the National Assembly.
The joint committee wanted to make input into the programme which Keyamo believed will amount to hijacking programme meant for the poor Nigerians to their cronies, friends and family members.
Following his unwillingness to yield to their wishes, they asked him to leave, saying he was showing grandstanding in their midst. He took permission from them and left.
Nigerians all over have poured encomium on Keyamo for standing for the poor Nigerians who do not have godfathers, friends and politicians whom they are attached to.
He has been hailed by all as a great Nigerian, unlike the Senators who are self-centered and care-less for the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.