National Pilot Settles Salary Arrears, Former Staff Appreciate Saraki

 

ILORIN — The Management of National Pilot Newspaper has announced the settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to 40 affected staff members, while former employees of the newspaper have expressed appreciation to the Chairman and owner, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for his intervention in facilitating the payment.

According to a statement by the management, the salary arrears arose from a period beginning in 2017 when the newspaper experienced severe financial and operational difficulties that affected its ability to meet some of its salary obligations.

According to the Choicereporters, the management noted that the company’s financial situation subsequently improved and that, for more than five years, it had consistently paid the salaries of its staff promptly and regularly.

It explained that the outstanding arrears were eventually settled in two batches as part of efforts to fulfil its obligations to affected members of staff.

The first batch involved the payment of N18 million to 30 staff members in settlement of their 29-month salary arrears, while a second and final batch of N11 million was paid to 10 other affected staff members.

The two payments brought the total amount disbursed to N29 million, with the management stating that the outstanding 29-month salary arrears of all 40 affected staff members had now been settled.

The management said that, during the period it was working to address the salary arrears, it sought the intervention of Dr. Saraki, who provided financial assistance that contributed to efforts to resolve the issue.

It described the intervention as significant, expressing appreciation to the former Senate President for what it called his compassion and concern for members of the National Pilot family.

The management said the conclusion of the payment exercise represented an important step towards strengthening the stability of the organisation and reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its workforce.

In another separate statement, former staff members of the newspaper also expressed appreciation to Dr. Saraki for facilitating the payment of the outstanding arrears.

The former staff members said they had endured a prolonged period of financial difficulties while awaiting the settlement of their outstanding entitlements.

They explained that, after years of waiting and unsuccessful efforts to resolve the matter through the normal management process, some of them eventually appealed to Dr. Saraki to intervene.

According to them, the intervention came at a time when some former employees were facing significant financial and personal difficulties.

They acknowledged that the arrears accumulated during a period when, according to them, Dr. Saraki was not personally responsible for the circumstances that led to the indebtedness.

The former staff members said they remained grateful that he listened to their concerns and intervened in the matter.

They also addressed various interpretations that followed their earlier appeal for payment, including suggestions that their action was politically motivated or sponsored by individuals opposed to Dr. Saraki.

The former employees maintained that their primary concern had been the settlement of arrears, they believed were owed to them for services rendered to the organisation.

While expressing gratitude for the payments received, however, the former staff members noted that some individuals received amounts they considered lower than their expected outstanding entitlements.

Despite this, they described the payment as a significant rrelief even though it does not cover the total amount owed,  and reiterated their appreciation to Dr. Saraki for responding to their appeal.

The former staff members also thanked the management and other stakeholders who contributed to the resolution of the matter.

They prayed for continued wisdom, strength and grace for Dr. Saraki, while expressing hope that the development would bring closure to the prolonged issue.

Meanwhile, the management of National Pilot Newspaper led by Alhaji Billy Adedamola has also expressed appreciation to its readers, media, advertisers, business partners, vendors, contributors and other stakeholders for their continued support.

The National Pilot management said their trust and patronage had remained important to the newspaper’s survival and growth, particularly during periods of difficulty.

It reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger, more stable and sustainable newspaper while making the welfare of its workforce an important priority.