BENIN CITY — As momentum builds for the return of The Nigerian Observer to newsstands, the General Manager of Bendel Newspapers Corporation (BNC), Hon. Peter Odiboh, has issued a one-week ultimatum to staff to resume duties or face sanctions.
At a strategic meeting held at the corporation’s conference room, Odiboh charged Heads of Department (HODs) to immediately reactivate their units and mobilise staff towards ensuring that the hardcopy of the newspaper hits the newsstand next week.
The meeting comes on the heels of the successful test run of the organisation’s high-capacity printing press, signalling what management describes as the final phase of preparations for the paper’s relaunch.
Odiboh assured workers of the full backing of the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, stressing that government remains committed to reviving the newspaper and sustaining its operations.
He commended staff for their resilience in keeping the publication alive through online and electronic editions despite difficult working conditions, expressing optimism that the organisation was on the verge of a turnaround.
“We need all departments to collaborate to achieve our common goal of returning our newspaper to the newsstand next week,” he said.
“The machines have been tested for over one hour and are in good condition. Now is the time for full mobilisation.”
The BNC boss directed all HODs to recall their staff and brief them on the new developments, warning that continued absence from duty would no longer be tolerated.
“The government will not continue to pay salaries without corresponding output. Any staff who fails to return to work will have their salaries stopped,” he warned, adding that while management would not victimise anyone, it would not condone redundancy or indiscipline.
He emphasised that restoring salaries after suspension would be more difficult than stopping them, urging workers to take the directive seriously and justify the wages they receive from the Edo State Government.
Odiboh disclosed that he had held extensive consultations with Governor Okpebholo, who granted approval for the revival strategy and pledged necessary support.
According to him, the governor’s response has rekindled hope for the organisation, its workforce, and loyal readers across the state.
He further revealed that the newspaper would initially resume publication twice weekly — on Mondays and Thursdays as part of a phased relaunch plan.
Odiboh also assured that the newspaper would undergo restructuring, reorganisation and a comprehensive relaunch aimed at restoring its pride of place in the media industry.
In his remarks, the Editor of The Nigerian Observer, Mr Andy Egbon, praised the General Manager’s proactive leadership, noting that tangible progress had already been recorded since his assumption of office.
“Your strategic engagements have yielded results. From meeting staff to bringing in engineers and contractors to revive the machines, we are now at the stage of cleaning up for full production,” he said.
Other staff members, including Reymond Osogbe, Hameed Braimah and Roland Osakue, also commended the renewed drive within the organisation, describing it as a breath of fresh air.
They, however, appealed for the recruitment of additional personnel to address manpower shortages.
Ijioma Umeh, on his part, called attention to the inactivity of labour unions within the organisation and urged management to take steps to revitalise them, noting that only the cooperative society remains functional.
