Insider Reveals: Gbenga Aruleba Not Sacked From AIT But Replaced *As Dokpesi Threatens NUJ

Dokpesi

Gbenga Aruleba

It was authoritatively learnt that contrary to rumour flying round on some social platforms that top presenter with the African Independent Television (AIT) under Dr. Raymond Dokpesi-owned DAAR Communications, Gbenga Aruleba, was sacked by the station's management, the 'Focus Nigeria' anchorman was not sacked but replaced by another senior staff.

A source in the know of the Raymond Dokpesi-owned television station, who begged not to be named, confirmed that Gbenga was only replaced by Mamude Akugha as the Executive Director, News and Current Affairs, a position formerly occupied by Gbenga.

The shake-up also affected some other senior staffs of the media organisation.

However, we could not confirm why Gbenga was replaced by the management of AIT, but it was being speculated in some quarters that he might have been removed because of a controversial interview he had with a frontline social critic, Richard Akinnola, on the release of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, by an Appeal Court last week Friday.

Sources said that Dr. Dokpesi was not happy with the interview as he has been reportedly tipped to take over as the Chief-of-Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan from the incumbent Mike Ogiedome.

Akinnola had reportedly condemned and described the judgment as a 'miscarriage of justice' aimed to pacify the North ahead of 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

In another development, we reliably learnt from an insider that Dokpesi has allegedly threatened to stop the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, from picketing AIT over the station's outstanding payments of staffs' salaries dating back to 2009.

This, as we were further informed by our source, was made known at a meeting with AIT staff penultimate Tuesday in Lagos.

Sources said that staffers of the company are still being owed 2009 salaries by the management of AIT, which has recently floated more TV stations across the country.

Meanwhile, calls put through to the phone number of the station's General Manager, Tony Akiotu were neither picked nor returned as at press time.

Some members of staff of AIT, and Raypower FM are presently in pains and anguish over unpaid salaries.

We got it from good authorities within the media house that most members of staff of the two stations don't find life bearable anymore as they are faced with piles of debts arising from unpaid salaries.

Impeccable sources divulged that some of the staffs have turned to 'executive beggars'. This has now forced them to send a 'Save Our Soul', SOS, letter to the chairman and Chief Executive of the company, Chief Dokpesi, to pay up their salary arrears, which we reliably learnt, dates back to 2009.

It was confirmed that some staffs are being owed 2009 November and December salaries by the organisation.

In an SOS, the “hungry Daar (Comms) staffs” appealed to Dokpesi to pay their salaries as “a hungry man is an angry lion.”

Below is the SOS letter written to Dokpesi on the matter.

AN SOS LETTER FOR PAYMENT OF LONG OVERDUE SALARY ARREARS

We heartily congratulate you sir on the establishment of many stations within and outside the country. We also pray that those in pipeline would come to reality in Jesus name. More grease to you elbow.

Sir, we found it very necessary to write you personally as the Executive Chairman of Daar Communications plc who authorises employment, termination and disengagement of staff, to have a passionate concern on our plight to kindly approve immediate payment of our long overdue salaries which span between ten(10) to twelve months as the case maybe in Radio and TV services(staff) (i.e 2009 and 2012 salaries arrears).

Sir, we have absolutely become very bad and regular debtors as a result of none payment by your organisation (Daar Communications plc) to our landlords, school proprietors and hospital managements.

Some of our children now ask questions, “daddy why is your salary not paid every time”. Because they hear us tell their teachers.

Sir, some staff now also group themselves as AIT staff every term to plead for more time to pay school fees. Alas! This is not too good for staff of a growing company like yours.

Sir, after the recent organisational restructuring (retrenchment of staff without payments) of Dec 31st. 2012, staff have been expecting that at least August and September of 2012 salaries would be paid after Xmas and New Year expenses rather information has it that August 2012 Salary would not be paid until march 2013. And true to it February 2013 is almost running out and you didn't see any reason to pay us any salary till now.

We want to plead that you kindly intervene with your good humanitarian gestures to avert this motive in the interest of our families, children school fees which we have signed an undertaken for. Even for us to concentrate on official job' “hungry man is an angry lion”

A careful study in the organisation shows that many staff leave below poverty level except few who enjoys trip allowances, regular telephone plus free transport allowances and some who enjoys juicy political programmes presentation and early morning magazine presentation on AIT and Raypower FM etc.

We don't envy them as fingers are not equal but we humbly request that our salaries be paid up to date at least for us to eat and live comfortably.

Social and economy life of many staff is zero. Due to poor staff welfare , when compare with friends and relatives elsewhere.

Sir, the Daar staffs therefore humbly request that our salaries arrears be paid in earnest.

Once again. We congratulate you, board and management and pray that God gives you the strength and ability to move the company to a greater height with prompt payment of our salaries.

Thank you.

Your hungry staff.