BREAKING: Imo State Governor Suspends Indefinitely, NAWOJ Chairperson In The State & Staff Of IBC, Vivian Ottih Over Non-Payment Of Salaries..

Barrister Vivian Ottih.
NAWOJ Chairperson, Imo State.

The Chairperson of the Nigerian Association Of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Imo State Chapter, Barrister Vivian Ottih has been suspended by the Imo State Government over what she termed “Unsatisfactory and Unacceptable response to the query given to her by the management of the Imo Broadcast Cooperation, IBC where she works”.

Mrs. Vivian Ottih had been queried over a purported interview she granted to the press on her capacity as Chairperson, NAWOJ in the state, over the non-payment of their salaries and was asked to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against her.

The suspension letter.

According to the letter suspending her and signed by one Mrs. S.O Osuchukwu on behalf of the Ag. Director General of the station, she was directed to proceed on an INDEFINITE SUSPENSION for lack of remorse in her response to the query she was issued.

The broadcaster has been having a running battle with the management of the station and the states Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba over her complains against the non-payment of her salaries and that of her colleagues in the state owned broadcast outfit where she is a Senior Editor.

The Imo State Commissioner for Information we were told had on several occasions threatened that he was going to facilitate her sack from the states Civil Service, a threat a lot of people believe has been achieved through this suspension.

Declan Emelumba
Commissioner for Information, Imo State.

As Chairperson of NAWOJ, Imo State, part of her responsibility is the welfare of members of her association, which includes speaking out for them in times like this, which was what she did through the interview she granted to speak to the conscience of the Governor of the state, Hope Uzodinma to pay the salaries of her members.

It is therefore very shameful that a state government would resort to this brutal way of muscling the press, especially those in the employ of the state, to silence them dumb forever.

Her query.

Vivian Ottih was accused by the state government of causing ‘‘Serious Embarrassment to the Imo State Government’’ after she granted an interview where the issues of the unpaid salaries were discussed.