Business
How Governor Ortom has turned us to beggars, wheel-barrow Pushers’ – Benue state workers lament salaries debt
Published
8 years agoon
Primary school teachers in Benue State have lamented the non payment of salaries by the Governor Samuel Ortom-led state government, adding that some of them now sell petty items in the market to survive.
A primary school teacher with Universal Basic Education, UBE, Arabic girls, situated at Kwararafa quarters in Makurdi, Benue State, who spoke with DAILY POST on the ground of anonymity said the current administration had only paid them five months since January, out of which, 2 months were paid in December.
The source claimed that the state government paid primary school teachers “January salary in August, February in October, March in November and April in December.”
According to her, “From the beginning of this year, Ortom has only paid primary school teachers five months.
“Ortom was initially owing us for nine months. He paid primary school teachers January in August, February in October, March in November and April in December.”
The aggrieved teacher said the Benue State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, attempted to mediate in the matter but failed as the governor was not ready to leave up to his administration’s responsibilities.
She alleged that officials of the NLC had to walk out on the governor during a meeting as he asked them to sign that he would pay five months while the other months should be forfeited.
“The NLC wrote a letter to Otorm stating the problems facing teachers in the state.
“Following the letter, he called officials of the body to a meeting but we heard they walked out on him because he asked them to sign that he would pay us for five months while we forfeit the other months. We do not know whether that’s true or whether the labour leaders have been compromised.
“The case of primary school teachers in Benue State is something else. Currently, we are facing non payment of allowances, death benefits, non payment of pensions, lack of promotion, leave grant for over 10 years etc..,” She said.
The source maintained that the salaries being owed started from the inception of the current administration and not the previous administration of Gabriel Suswam.
“The current debt started from the inception of the Otorm’s administration, contrary to insinuations, the previous governor, Gabriel Suswam only owed us four months and it was paid after bailout fund was released.
‘’Teachers are suffering; some of my colleagues now sell yams, soya beans, maize in the market and some of us, our children have been sent home from school because we can no longer afford the school fees.”
A staff of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, who wished not to be mentioned corroborated the story.
He alleged that the governor was hoarding funds because of his alleged ambition to – the governorship election in 2019.
“Primary school teachers in Benue, at a point were being owed nine months salaries but as Christmas approached, the state government paid just two months and now they are owed seven months.
“This debt started from the inception of the new administration and I strongly believe that he, Ortom, is hoarding the money because he is planning to re-contest in 2019.
“His explanation has always been that allocation from Federation account was not encouraging but I don’t believe that. I’m of the opinion that the money he is hoarding will be released during the 2019 election period,” the source told our correspondent.
Another teacher who spoke with our correspondent from Otukpa in Benue State said the situation of primary school teachers in the Ogbadibo headquarters has remained pathetic until December when the governor had a change of mind and decided to pay them two months out of the 9 months they were being owed. According to him ‘’ The money does not mean anything to me. It didn’t solve my problem as we must first of all settle our debts. As speak with you, I’m on my way to pay a debt I had been owing since Ortom refused to pay us.
‘’We also need to manage this two months he paid very well as we don’t know when next he will think about us. The truth is that even the union that is supposed to speak for us has has been compromised, so no one can ask questions.
A local government worker in Makurdi, Benue State said it was nearly 8 months of no pay before the governor paid 2 months out of it. Lamenting the situation, he said most local government workers have been turned beggars as a result of the situation. He said people could no longer afford the least medical cure. People are finding it difficult to buy a sachet of panadol. They have given up on the government. A government that is helpless about the situation of workers in his case will lose the people. I think Ortom has already lost the people.
‘’He collected 12.7 billion share of the paris club, and one wonders what used with that money. Is Ortom ever willing and ready to make sacrifices for his people? People are no longer interested in going to their offices. Majority of people have gone into barrow pushing and other things. Go to the various ministries and give a commissioner N10,000 and see the celebration. It goes to tell you that only the governor is syphoning the money. He said we should go to farm. Is it not when you have eaten very well that you can till the soil? Even if Ortom is given 100 billion, he won’t pay workers. I think he has an agenda which is clearly anti-people.’’
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Business
ABRIDGED PROFILE OF CHINEDU NSOFOR (CEO, WORKWIS GROUP)
Published
2 days agoon
January 7, 2025ABRIDGED PROFILE OF CHINEDU NSOFOR (CEO, WORKWIS GROUP)
Chinedu Nsofor is a Professional Social Worker, a Seasoned Technocrat, an International Development Expert, a Change Agent, a Media Guru/Wikipedian, and a Versatile Project Management Expert with a passion for developing and implementing programs and initiatives that touch lives and impact different segments of society, focusing on bringing about massive change, especially in Africa.
He holds an M.Sc. in Social Work, specializing in Industrial Social Welfare from the Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and a B.Sc. in Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
As a Media Guru/Wikipedian, he is the Founder/CEO of WORKWIS Media Ltd., a leading and reputable media outfit in Nigeria and Africa.
As an International Development Expert, he is currently the Country Director of Rapid Heal Nigeria, a leading wound and skincare treatment company with its global headquarters in Malaysia. Prior to assuming this role, he served as the Country Programs Director (Nigeria) and Africa Director of Asia Pacific Sports International, a reputable sports business and management firm headquartered in Malaysia, with branches in Singapore and other Asian countries.
As a versatile Project Management Expert, Chinedu has coordinated over 50 impactful programs at national, regional, and state levels in Nigeria, touching the lives of over 50,000 Nigerians. Some of these include:
Coordinator of the IMOFINTECH Program for 5,000 Imo youths, organized by the Imo State Government in partnership with Iwuanyanwu Foundation (October–December 2019).
Program Coordinator of safety training for ambulance drivers in Southeast Nigeria during COVID-19 (2021).
Coordinator of the Central Bank of Nigeria-Southeast Entrepreneurship Development Centre’s Program, Owerri Study Centre (2018).
Program Coordinator of the maiden edition of the Inter-secondary School Debate Competition for all secondary schools in Abuja (2018), organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps in partnership with Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation.
Coordinator of the 2017 Accident-Free Ember Month Program of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Owerri Safety Command) and Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation.
Program Coordinator of the Imo State and Ebonyi State Free Automobile Training Program, organized by Innoson Kiara Academy in partnership with Iwuanyanwu Foundation and the governments of Imo and Ebonyi States (2021).
Coordinator of the Free Physiotherapy Treatment Intervention Program for arthritis, neck pain, back pain, and waist pain patients in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State (December 3–4, 2021).
Co-coordinator of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Program, Abuja Study Centre (April–December 2015).
Co-coordinator of the 20-day NAPSAS/National Power Training Institute Program in Abuja (May 2015).
Co-coordinator of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN)/SURE-P TVET training for graduate engineers in Lagos (February–March 2015).
Coordinator of the second edition of the seven-day “Work While in School Conference” at UNN, attended by about 3,000 students, organized by the Work While in School Foundation in partnership with the Institute of African Studies, UNN.
Project Coordinator of the Global Impact Show organized by Great Minds International and powered by the Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN (2012).
As a student leader/Igwe of the Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN, he organized the Faculty’s New Yam Festival in 2010, an event attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties and other national dignitaries.
Coordinator of the first “Work While in School Conference” at UNN (2011) for over 4,000 third-year students, organized by the Work While in School Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research, UNN. This program is recorded as the largest student entrepreneurship conference in the history of UNN.
Coordinator of the seven-day African Education and ICT Conference, organized by WORKWIS Foundation and the Institute of African Studies, UNN (March 2010). The conference secured a renewal of the ₦5 million annual scholarship grant from the Dr. Sam Onyishi Foundation and attracted a ₦50 million donation to the university. Over 5,000 UNN students from seven faculties were trained in various skills.
Chinedu Nsofor is a man of integrity and deep spirituality, with a steadfast commitment to excellence in all his operations. His words are his bond, and his contributions consistently bring positive transformation to society.
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Business
A Businessman and His Siren: Tunde Ayeni Refutes News of His Fatal Return to Gail Fajembola
Published
2 days agoon
January 7, 2025A Businessman and His Siren: Tunde Ayeni Refutes News of His Fatal Return to Gail Fajembola
The allure of forbidden passion often carries a price, and for Dr. Tunde Ayeni, the once-revered businessman whose rise and fall mirrors the trajectory of a Greek tragedy, the cost has been steep.
Amid the ruins of financial embarrassment, public disgrace, and familial strain, Ayeni has frantically disassociated himself from speculations of his purported return into the arms of the arms of Gail Fajembola, a woman whose name is synonymous with scandal.
In a bid to distance himself from Gail and their controversial past together, Ayeni went as far as instructing his property firm to notify tenants of a choice Ikoyi property that Gail should no longer be allowed to use the address for correspondence. “Dr. Ayeni has nothing to do with Gail’s relocation to Nigeria,” a source close to him declared. “He is focused on growing his businesses and spending quality time with his family and true friends.” Yet, despite these denials and calculated efforts to sanitize his image, insiders whisper of a rekindled liaison between the embattled businessman and his former mistress.
This revelation comes as a shock to many who recall Ayeni’s vehement disassociation from Gail years ago. Back then, he publicly vowed to sever all ties with her, swearing on his children’s lives that he would never return to the woman whose influence nearly dismantled his business empire and marriage. The reasons for this oath were both public and damning: Gail, with her extravagant lifestyle and insatiable demands, had drawn Ayeni into a vortex of corruption and financial impropriety that nearly consumed him.
The Return of the Femme Fatale
Gail Fajembola’s return to the Nigerian social scene, after a five-year sojourn in the United Kingdom, has been met with both intrigue and suspicion. Described by some as a “femme fatale” with a penchant for seducing powerful men, her arrival in Abuja has reignited whispers of her alleged connection to Ayeni. Sources suggest that Gail’s relocation may not be as innocent as claimed, with many speculating that her return signals a calculated move to reclaim her position in Ayeni’s life.
The woman once vilified for the chaos she sowed in Ayeni’s world seems undeterred by past scandals. Gail’s critics describe her as a chameleon—a master manipulator who has left a trail of broken relationships and tarnished reputations in her wake. Despite this, Ayeni appears to remain ensnared by her charms, prompting questions about what compels him to rekindle a relationship that has cost him so dearly.
A Scandalous. History
Gail’s romantic history reads like a cautionary tale of ambition and audacity. Her past liaisons include some of Nigeria’s most prominent men, from a former Senate President to influential oil industry magnates. Yet it is her relationship with Ayeni that has proven the most enduring—and destructive.
During their initial affair, Gail’s extravagant demands reportedly drained Ayeni’s finances and drew him into a web of questionable dealings. Her influence was so pervasive that Ayeni found himself under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with allegations of embezzlement and financial misconduct dominating headlines. The fallout left Ayeni’s reputation in tatters, his businesses struggling to recover, and his family in disarray.
In the years that followed their breakup, Ayeni’s public declarations of remorse and determination to rebuild his life were seen as an attempt at redemption. He sought to distance himself from Gail, focusing on salvaging what remained of his legacy. However, recent developments suggest that Ayeni’s resolve has faltered, raising questions about his judgment and the nature of his relationship with the woman who nearly destroyed him.
Gail’s Calculated Return
Observers note that Gail’s return to Nigeria coincides with a period of significant upheaval in Ayeni’s life. Once a high-flying billionaire, Ayeni’s financial empire has reportedly been reduced to a shadow of its former self. With mounting debts and diminishing influence, Ayeni’s renewed association with Gail appears both illogical and self-destructive.
For Gail, however, the motivations seem clear. Known for her ability to manipulate powerful men, she has often been described as a “hunter”—a woman who thrives on the wealth and influence of her targets. Critics argue that her return is a calculated move to regain access to Ayeni’s resources, despite his precarious financial state.
The Anatomy of Obsession
What drives Ayeni’s apparent inability to break free from Gail’s grasp? Psychologists might label it as a classic case of compulsive attachment, a destructive bond fueled by a mix of passion, vulnerability, and dependency. Others see it as a testament to Gail’s unparalleled skill in exploiting the weaknesses of her partners, drawing them into a cycle of desire and destruction.
For Ayeni, the consequences of this renewed liaison could be dire. Already besieged by financial woes and public skepticism, his decision to re-engage with Gail risks alienating his family and further tarnishing what remains of his reputation. His critics have been unsparing in their condemnation, describing him as a “shameless man” who has returned to his vomit, defying both logic and morality.
Gail, too, has faced harsh judgment, with detractors labeling her as a woman devoid of dignity. Her willingness to endure public humiliation for another chance at affluence has only reinforced her reputation as a manipulative figure, willing to go to any lengths to achieve her goals.
The story of Tunde Ayeni and Gail Fajembola serves as an admonition about the perils of unchecked desire and the corrosive effects of scandal. Their relationship, a volatile mix of passion, ambition, and self-destruction, offers a stark reminder of the dangers of succumbing to temptation.
For Ayeni, the stakes could not be higher. His continued association with Gail risks sealing his fate as a man undone by his own desires. For Gail, the narrative is one of relentless ambition and calculated opportunism, a woman whose pursuit of power and influence knows no bounds.
As their story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the saga of Tunde Ayeni and Gail Fajembola is far from over. Whether it ends in redemption or ruin, it will undoubtedly remain a stark reminder of the high cost of forbidden love.
Findings reveal that to ensure a clean break from this past relationship, Tunde Ayeni’s property firm recently wrote to the occupants of one of his choice properties in Victoria Island to inform them that Gail Fajembola should no longer be allowed to use the address as her mailing address and should no longer receive her mails through the office address. The correspondence was firm in its assertion that the business mogul and his company no longer have anything to do with Gail. ( letter attached).
To further lend credence to the position that the relationship has since been consigned to the backyard of history, another source disclosed that Dr Ayeni, nowadays, often makes it clear to confidants and close business associates that he was done with the past social life and that the new chapter of his life is focused on expanding and deepening his business interests.
When contacted on the Gail relocation issue and the allegation that he facilitated it, the businessman said: “When will you guys leave me alone and stop disturbing me over mundane issues. I have made it clear, and it is in the media space: I’m done with all these issues of this relationship, that relationship. I have moved on, and I’m not looking back. What you are asking is in the realms of the past, and I’m now focused on the present and the future. Spare me, please. “t and the future. Spare me, please.”
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Business
Adron Homes Unveils New Logo to Reflect Innovation, Growth, and Global Ambitions
Published
2 days agoon
January 7, 2025*Adron Homes Unveils New Logo to Reflect Innovation, Growth, and Global Ambitions
In a groundbreaking moment of celebration and reflection, Adron Homes unveiled its new company logo on Monday, January 6, 2025. The unveiling ceremony, held at the company’s head office in Lagos, was attended by top executives, stakeholders, staff, and media representatives. This milestone event marked a significant chapter in the company’s twelve-year journey of innovation, transformation, and growth.
The newly redesigned logo preserves the timeless essence of Adron Homes while introducing a sleek, modern twist. Its bold and dynamic elements represent the company’s forward-thinking approach and readiness to embrace the future. The elegant globe encircled by interconnected homes reflects Adron Homes’ mission to build communities and expand its footprint beyond Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Chairman of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, shared the inspiration behind the change. He said, “Logos are not just designs; they are prophecies that predict the future. Our new logo is a statement of who we are and where we are headed as a company. It is time to take Adron Homes to the world and bring the world to Adron Homes.”
Since its inception in 2012, Adron Homes has become a household name and one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria. Highlighting the company’s remarkable journey, the Vice Chairman, Olori Aderonke Emmanuelking, remarked, “For 12 years, by the Grace of God, this organization has been on a journey of transformation, innovation, and commitment to our vision of making the dream of homeownership a reality for everyone. We identified a gap—a dream for affordable luxury that seemed out of reach for many—and we sought to fill that gap. This realization has fueled our drive to dream even bigger and aim even higher.”
As Adron Homes embarks on this exciting new chapter, the new logo stands as a symbol of the company’s aspirations and achievements. Over the past decade, Adron Homes has been dedicated to making homeownership an attainable dream, and this rebranding reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and growth.
The Chairman emphasized that this new logo embodies the company’s vision to create cities, communities, and homes without borders. “This rebranding effort signifies more than a change in design; it symbolizes our global aspirations. We are ready to shape the future of real estate by providing world-class solutions that transform lives and add value to communities,” he said.
The logo unveiling represents Adron Homes’ readiness to expand its influence globally, showcasing the company’s ambition to redefine real estate on an international scale. With a renewed focus on building sustainable communities and promoting inclusivity, Adron Homes continues to inspire confidence and innovation in the industry.
Maureen Echefu
Chief Press Secretary
Adron Group
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