Tinubu’s New NIPOST CEO Defies Aggrieved Workers, Assumes Duty
By Ayo Yusuf
Hours after aggrieved staff of the Nigeria Postal Service, NIPOST, shut down the head office to protest her appointment, Tola Odeyemi, the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the agency suddenly walked into the headquarters of the agency in Abuja to assume duty.
Earlier, aggrieved workers of the service had shut down the head office and prevented the new CEO from gaining entrance. Chanting slogans and waving placards, they said they were opposed to Ms. Odeyemi’s appointment and preferred her predecessor to continue.
President Bola Tinubu had last week sacked Adeyemi Adepoju the former CEO/Post Master General of the agency and appointed Ms. Odeyemi.
The announcement, made by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said it was part of the leadership shuffle implemented for agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy.
However, speaking during a protest at the NIPOST headquarters in Abuja, the President of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees, Mr Buba Nehemiah, said the new appointment was against the interest of the workers.
He said Mr. Adepoju introduced major reforms just under a year ago and should be encouraged to continue with his “good work”.
According to Nehemiah, “Sunday Adepoju should be allowed to continue the good work he has started. We are not against Mr. President neither are we against the minister but our desire is that the good work of Adepoju should be allowed to continue. Removing him at this point would terminate these processes and take NIPOST back to square one which we are against.
“We have over 13,000 employees here, once it is crumbled, it will add to the issues of insecurity in the country.
“Allow us to work with the person that has understood this organization. Allow us to join hands with him to take this organization to the level that it would generate revenue for the nation. This is our cry and demand.
“The only condition that can make us go back to our offices and work is for the appointment that was made last week to be cancelled.”
Hours later in the afternoon Ms. Odeyemi was seen walking into her office for a meeting with top Directors.
She refused the chair that was offered to her and opted to sit elsewhere. Ms. Odeyemi is the first female to be appointed NIPOST CEO.
