Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has dismissed staff of the Bendel Newspapers Corporation Limited (BNCL), publishers of the state-owned Nigerian Observer.
The affected staff were reportedly hired by the immediate past governor, Godwin Obaseki, during his efforts to restructure state-owned media organizations for improved productivity and better public information dissemination. During the restructuring, most workers were reassigned to various ministries, departments, and agencies, with only one IT staff retained, while all casual staff were let go.
Additionally, it was reported that the printing section of BNCL had been leased out under the previous administration. Workers in that section had recently gone on strike due to three months of unpaid salaries.
In the wake of the dismissals, Governor Okpebholo appointed Mr. Sylvester Oboh as interim head to manage the corporation’s daily operations. A statement from Dr. Desmond Agbama, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Communication and Orientation, confirmed Oboh’s appointment. The appointment was necessitated by the governor’s dissolution of political appointees associated with the establishment.
In a letter titled “Assumption of Office as Interim Head of Bendel Newspapers Corporation,” dated November 18, 2024, the permanent secretary directed Oboh to oversee the corporation until a substantive General Manager is appointed.
“All political appointees tied to the establishment have been dissolved, and you are to assume headship of the corporation to ensure continuity,” the letter read.
At a meeting with former BNCL staff, the permanent secretary instructed them to return to the corporation and resume their administrative and editorial responsibilities immediately. He emphasized the importance of their roles in ensuring effective governance and information dissemination.
“You all must return to your offices and work for the progress of the establishment and the state’s governance. Efforts will be made to provide necessary resources and address staffing gaps for optimal service delivery,” he stated.
It was also revealed that most of the affected staff had been employed by the previous governor as political aides. Governor Okpebholo had earlier terminated all political appointees and consultants engaged by the former administration, aligning with his broader reorganization of state governance.