Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Again, the staff of the New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) Limited, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest at the company’s headquarters, in Kaduna, to demand accumulated entitlements due to them.
They made a personate appeal to the 19 Northern States governors, who are owners of the company, to honour the agreement in good time, before some of them, especially their Chairman and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima, vacate their seats after elections.
Some of the protesters were seen with placards with various inscriptions, such as, “Pay us our entitlements,” “Northern governors settle our entitlements now,” “Shettima act before you go” and “El-Rufai, you can do something for NNN,” among others.
The Federal Government handed over NNN to the northern States around 1996, and the company has not remained the same since then.
It had, in fact, stopped publications a few years ago, but, now, operating only online version because more than two-third of the owners fail to give their monthly subvention.
Addressing newsmen during the protest, Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), NNN Chapel, Dekera Nicholas, said there is no better time for the owners to do the needful than now.
‘’There was a recommendation by a committee set up by the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), to look into NNN issues and made recommendations.
“That committee has since completed its findings and has submitted same, including its recommendations to the owner for implementation.
“Now, part of the recommendations, therein, is that part of the company’s property be valued and disposed, so that the proceed can be used to offset debts, especially the workers’ entitlements and put the company in good shape.
“While that was ongoing, the pensioners took the company to court, thereby, causing temporary stopage of the initial plans. Now, that issue of pensioners had been largely resolved. In fact, they are enjoying their monthly pension now.