As Nigeria’s economic recession bites harder, Gotel Communication, owner of the only private radio and television station in north-east Nigeria, has retrenched about 50 per cent of its staff.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that about 120 staff of the organisation were laid off .
The firm is owned by a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.
The staff collected their sack letters and cheques following the release of an internal memo by the company’s Head of Administration, Mohammed Yahaya, directing all staff to check with the administration and account departments.
“This is to inform all staff that the restructuring exercise embarked upon by Gotel Communication has commenced.
“All staff are therefore enjoined to check with administration department to their letters and entitlements from the accounts department after clearance”, the memo said.
The development has since affected the 24 hours service offered by the Gotel television and radio stations.
The stations now operate for 19 hours daily, from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m., as against the normal 24 hours.
A similar exercise had also been carried out in Adama Beverage Limited, producers of popular Faro water and juice also owned by Mr. Abubakar.
Mr. Abubakar is considered the second highest employer of labour in Adamawa after the state government.
Apart from Gotel Communication and Adama Beverage, the former vice president also owns the American University of Nigeria and Rico Gado feed mill factory.
Premium Times
