By Sadiq Umar – Chairman and Editor-in-Chief THISDAY Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena, has sacked more than half of the THISDAY workforce, via a memo, Tuesday.
In a memo dated Tuesday February 23, 2016 to the senior management staff of the newspaper, Mr. Obaigbena advised staff members whose names were not listed in the memo to consider themselves losing their job and their salaries.
However, Sources in Abuja office of the paper dismissed the action, saying it is a routine memo in Thisday.
“How can you sack people that are the life wire of the company? If you check the list on the memo, you would see that those affected a key guys who are the engine room. I think the Publisher is just trying to put everyone on their toes.”
The Publisher took the action after he took an attendance of the workers, describing the exercise “spot check” at the Lagos office of the newspaper.
He was said to have arrived at the office at about 2pm and left at 7pm and wondered why a staff would not be in office at such time.
The memo read: VERY IMPORTANT STAFF NOTICE:
“Dear All: Following a continuous and continuing spot check which climaxed today on LAGOS staff on duty and working, please find below a list of bonafide NON – EDITORIAL LAGOS STAFF of THISDAY NEWSPAPERS. The spot check will continue in ALL THISDAY locations.
“Those not on the list below cease to be staff of the company except they show with documentary evidence why they were not, and have not been at work. Editorial Staff have to show work with proof of stories filed and published tonight. Therefore only those listed below will be on the next payroll. If not listed, please conclude your disengagement process with the Admin department.
“A. Account Department: 1. Akiemughu Ezekiel 2. Olurebi Abiola Yusuf 3. Kasali Ganiyu 4. Arole Olawale 5.Alex Egberughe 6. Sambo Mohammed 7. Ngboken Odonzi 8. Sunday Adofu 9. Charles Afambu 10. Dibiagwu Uchenna 11. Amao K. Abisola 12. Raufiu Shina 13. Ariori Kamilu 14. Peter Iwegbu 15. Olufemi Aborowa.
“B. Computer Department: 1. Oku Ejiro 2. Balogun Olaitan
“C. Editorial (Photo Desk) 1. Yomi Akinyele 2. Kolawole Alli 3. Mubo Peters 4. Sunday Adigun
“D. Admin Department: 1. Adedapo Olojo 2. Megbolu Innocent 3. Emmanuel Efeni
“E. Advert Department: 1. Umoren Paulinus 2. Ogochukwu Eseka 3. Odeh Williams 4. Okwuise Ngozi 5. Ogedengbe Anthony
“F. Engineering Department: 1. Abdulmumuni Momoh 2. Peter Amoh 3. Emmanuel Hope 4. Adah Francis 5. Balogun Idris 6. Adewoyin Folakemi.
“G. ICT/SERVER/DIGITAL 1. Ogunleye George 2. T.J Dennis Madu 3. Judith Ehireme 4. Michael Okeke 5. Ojogun Danboyi 6. Mbayilan Aindo – Akaa
“H. Pre-press Department: 1. Funke Amobi 2. Scoot Orwell
“I. Printers: 1. Adedayo Adebiyi 2. Aina Adekunle 3. Badmus Semiu 4. Chuks Okonkwo 5. Akintunde Isaac 6. Sunday Etuonu
“J. Editorial Department: 1. Davidson Iriekpen 2. Martins Ifijeh 3. Funke Olaode 4. Crusoe Osagie 5. Roland Ogbonnnaya 6. Abiodun Ajala 7. Sunday Okonbi
“K. Office of Chairman: 1. Ayo Arowolo
“L. Legal Department: 1. Okwuchi Nwaamaka Chukwuma
“M. Executive Floor: 1. Alailedoye Bunmi
“N. Security Department: 1. Omotosho Abiola 2. Lovey Asuquo Essang 3. Nwachukwu Eugene 4. Samuel Alaku 5. Ebhoma Lucky 6. Abu Stephen
“O. Procurement Department: 1. Joseph Ebere “P. Transport Department: 1. Benjamin Faloye 2. Hassan Afeez 3. Adebayo Kayode 4. Abdullah Alaran 5. Oluwashola Ayeni 6. Akintayo Ademigoke 7. Oladele Sunday 8. Lanre Akande
1. Press Attendant/Inserter 1. Erinle David 2. Olaojo Tunde 3. Abazu Ugochukwu 4. Dada Ezekiel 5. Chigozie Abalum 6. Lawal Kehinde 7. Mbah Kalu 8. Kolawole Ebietomiye 9. Kunle Seun 9. Wahab Tope.
“R. MANAGEMENT. 1. Eniola Bello 2. Kayode Komolafe 3. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu.”
Obaigbena further directed some staff of the Accounts Department to prepare a new payroll another month based on the list above.
“We will try and pay up current month plus one month arrears every month at least.”
Although, the total staff strength in Thisday Lagos office is not clear, those affected by the memo according to sources are more than half.
