New NIPOST boss Odeyemi assumes duty amidst protest by aggrieved workers

Amidst protest by aggrieved workers of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) over the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tola Odeyemi, the new service boss, on Monday, assumed duty at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja.

The Informant247 reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last week sacked Adeyemi Adepoju as CEO/Post Master General of the agency and appointed Odeyemi, through his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, saying it was part of the leadership shuffle implemented for agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy.

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, adding that Adepoju introduced major reforms just under a year and should be encouraged to continue with his “good work”.

“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; once it is crumbled, it will add to the country’s insecurity issues.”

“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,” he had said.

However, the newly-appointed NIPOST CEO, Odeyemi walked into the office around 1pm and went into a meeting with top Directors, while refusing the chair that was offered to her and opted to sit elsewhere. Odeyemi is the first female to be appointed NIPOST CEO.