By Our Reporter
On Tuesday when our reporter visited, a canopy hired by staff has been mounted in front of the gate with chairs where aggrieved workers now seat everyday with a resolve to continue the strike until management of the newspaper accede to their demand.
Speaking to our reporter, Zonal Secretary, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW)., Mr. Peter Okeowo assured the workers that they have nothing to fear so long as they are agitating for their wages.
He told them that what they are doing is in line with the scriptures which says that a worker deserves his wages.
He said that the association is with them throughout the duration of the struggle. He restated the demand of workers which include among others removal of Managing Director of the organisation, Mr. Ted Iwere and payment of their salaries and cooperative contribution.
INL was founded in 2001 by former Governor of Delta State, Mr. James Onanaefe Ibori, with late Mr. Doyin Mahmoud, a first class schoolar as Managing Director and Mr. Ted Iwere as Editor. Mr. Greg Oshotse, a first class mass communication scholar was as founding editor. Politics later eased Mahmoud out of the newspaper and Iwere became MD.
Iwere marshalled the newspaper into winning awards among which was Newspaper of the Year but along the way things went awry. Protest by staff eased Iwere out , leaving Mr. Akpandem James then Managing Editor to double as MD.
But in 2014, Iwere made his way back to the newspaper as MD and carried out what has been described as hurricane in the media circles. He eased off James, the title editor, Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi and other top editors before embarking on turn –around of the newspaper.
He succeeded in setting up what has been described as the best newsroom in Nigeria, perhaps the best in Africa with a breathtaking reception.
He carried out his reforms without taking care of the welfare of workers leaving behind a barrage of salary arrears to the tune of 23 months.
