Edo: Protest Erupts As Governor Sacks Over 5OO Workers

The governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, has reportedly approved the dismissal of 513 workers of the Edo State Sports Council

In a memo released, the directive said the workers were relieved of the jobs as part of the sports council’s transition to Edo State Sports Commission

The affected workers, including athletes, coaches and administrative staff, took to the street to protest and express their grievances around the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and adjoining streets

Those affected were drawn from junior, senior and senior and management categories of workers.

Also Read: Imo seeks Partnership With FG, Investors On Gas Exploration

That the government said it was part of the transition plan from the now-defunct Edo State Sports Council to the Edo State Sports Commission.

Edo government in the memo stated that the affected staff would be immediately paid their one month in lieu of notice. It added that their pension payment would commence in April 2022,

According to the protesters, they were shocked to receive a circular disengaging them and asking them to reapply as casual employees.

One of the protesters, and former Paralympian, Patience Igbiti, said: “I have been here for over 20 years as a permanent staff and all of a sudden you disengage me. I have rejected jobs abroad to train people for my state, where do you now want me to start from?”

Another affected staff, Momo Lade, said “the governor did not consider us as this is coming when the economy is so unfriendly and we could barely feed well even with our jobs not to talk of it taken away”.

The protesters were assured, by the commission chairman, Yusuf Ali, that their complaint would be taken to the government.