The Chairman of Nigerian Association of Female Journalists (NAWOJ), Imo State Chapter, Barr Mrs Vivian Otti, and Senior Editor in the News and Current Affairs Department, has resigned her appointment as a staff of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC.
Mrs Vivian Otti, in her letter of resignation dated February 1, 2022, addressed to the Director General of IBC, said, “please accept this letter as my official resignation as a Senior Editor in the News and Current Affairs Department of Imo Broadcasting Corporation Owerri, effective from today, Monday February 1s! 2022.
”For over two years now I have not been paid any salary after I was illegally suspended on the directives of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba who is on vendetta against me, hence till date, no disciplinary committee was set up to investigate the reasons as stated in the letter of indefinite suspension which lasted for one year and five months. Neither was I found guilty in any other fomular.
“The height of the insensitivity to my wellbeing is the recent transfer to Lagos, knowing fully well the condition of my family, having owed house rent for over two years and my children being out of school because I could not afford to pay their school fees. The situation I found myself has caused me considerable stress that I have no choice but to leave Imo Broadcasting Corporation to enable me search for job elsewhere and take care of my wellbeing and young family.
“From my 22 months salaries arrears, deduct 3 months salaries in lieu of notice as stipulated in the conditions of service of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation.
“I must say this is one of the most difficult decisions that I have to make because I have put in over 20years of my lifetime as a journalist working in IBC. But I find consolation in the sense that I have inspired so many upcoming journalists in their profession I will miss the lovely community of staff of IBC and the management.
“I thank the management of IBC for the chance given to me to exploit my journalism skills and talent to inspire the young generation for all these years. I can be reached on my personal phone number 08037799588 and the account number to pay my salary arrears is 2023437960 First Bank PLC”.
The Imo State Government in 2020 suspended Vivian for complaining of non-payment of her salaries and that of her colleagues.
In 2020 she pleaded publicly to the state government to pay her colleagues and herself their over three months salaries.
“Nwamkpa Modestus (Uzodinma’s SSA) my dearest brother, from the blood and water we share as brother and sister, and as colleague in the journalism profession, you are the closest officer of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Hope Uzodinma (Onwa Oyoko) to me,” she had posted.
“Please my brother, help me inform our humble and performing governor that the entire staff of the only electronic media establishment owned by the state Imo Broadcasting Corporation, the famous Orient FM and Television have not received salaries for the month of February, March and April.
“It could be that His Excellency is not aware of this ugly situation. My brother and colleague, the worst of the whole scenario is that, I your sister, who just put to bed barely three weeks now, is languishing in hunger, lack among others.
“During the COVID-19 lockdown era, IBC staff were never found wanting on their duty post doing what they know how best to do on empty stomach and starvation.
“From my omugwo domain, I learnt that many have fallen sick without any kobo to seek medical services. The situation is as bad as that. Let me stop here so far as we wait for a fast positive response and reaction from His Excellency.”
Reacting, the government suspended Vivian, saying her action was ridiculous and aimed at sabotaging Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration.
In a letter titled,”Indefinite Suspension” which was signed by one Mrs Osuchukwu S.O, acting Director general of Imo Broadcasting Corporation(IBC), dated 14th May, 2020, the director general was directed to communicate Mrs Ottih of her indefinite suspension.
The letter which also stated that the suspension was with immediate effect said that the decision of the state owned establishment is based on the fact that the management is not convinced with Ottih’s response as she did not show any remorse.
“As a labour leader, my worry is that most of our members are dying of hunger over the refusal of government to pay the workers, hence, I made a harmless request” through an aide of the Governor, the surprised nursing mother said.
“Everyone knows that with the outbreak of covid-19 and the lockdown, our people were even barred from going out let alone engaging in any other assignment to make a living”, Ottih reiterated.
An Owerri based lawyers, Barr Emperor Iwuala said,”Thank God I am a firm supporter of Senator Uzodinma Government. However, I condemn whoever that directed the management of IBC to issue query to an IBC staff for speaking out on non-payment of salaries of IBC staff. That is impunity being taken to the highest level. I know the governor. This may not be his style but some people working for him if not cautioned, may cause him some harm.
In this era of clamour for higher level of freedom of speech should somebody be cowed for his honest statement. The Commissioner for Information should know the political realities on ground and thread with caution. Sometimes, I have observed some draconic tendencies from some of his actions which are not good for an information manage”.
