By Adekunle Williams
The Executive Chairman, Ikosi Isheri LCDA, area of Lagos State, Mrs Samiat Bada, has denied online allegations of compelling her staff to buy N650,000.00 fabrics for her forthcoming 50th birthday.
Addressing the media at the council secretariat, in Lagos on Tuesday, Bada described the allegations as completely false and baseless.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that an online medium reported a petition filed by Concerned Ikosi Isheri LCDA Residents against Bada of selling N650.000.00 fabrics for her birthday at this difficult time.
The group had allegedly accused her of making it compulsory for councilors, supervisors and workers to buy the fabrics, among other allegations leveled against her.
Bada told newsmen that those allegations were part of a deliberate attempt to blackmail her, tarnish her reputation and create unnecessary division within her administration.
“I stand before you today to address the recent allegations that have been circulating on the social media in which the writer claimed that I imposed a N650,000.00 Aso Ebi (traditional fabrics) on my staff.
“I want to categorically state that these allegations are completely false and baseless. Since assuming office, I have prioritised the welfare and working conditions of my staff.
“I have worked tirelessly to improve their working environment and ensure that they feel valued and appreciated.
“One of the first actions I took was to increase their monthly welfare package from N400,000 to N1.4 million paid through NULGE Ikosi-isheri Branch.
“I believe the increment is even a significant increase that will further reflects their dedication and hard work to the development of the council,” she said.
The chairman said she recently increased their welfare bonus from N4,000 to N10,000 Naira, a gesture aimed at acknowledging their commitment and motivation to their work.
Bada added that she also procured some new staff bus to enhance their convenience and transportation to their working place.
She said in spite these positive developments and efforts to uplift the working conditions of her staff, it was, however, disheartening to see such allegations against her.
Bada, however, admitted that her friends and associates from abroad were the ones that decided to chose the N650,000 fabrics among themselves to celebrate her birthday coming up in December 2023.
The chairman said there was no formal invitation to her staff, forcing them to contribute financially towards her 50th birthday celebration.
She said appropriate legal route would be carried out to unravel this scheme and ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions.
Bada urged the media practitioners to exercise due diligence and report facts, not fiction.
Speaking, the Council Manager, Mrs Bola Adeyemi told newsmen that there was no time the chairman had forced her nor any member of staff to buy the N650,000.00 traditional fabrics for her birthday.
Adeyemi urged members of the public to debunk the allegations against the executive chairperson of the council. (NAN)
