Shola Adedifi, the bus driver of Sunshine Stars of Akure, has cried out to the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to pay him the 23 months salaries owed him by the club.
Adedifi, who has been with Sunshine since 2001 and earns N30, 000 monthly, told The PUNCH the outstanding salaries owed him dates back to when Olusegun Mimiko was the governor of the state.
He added that Akeredolu’s administration owe him nine months salaries, while he was not paid for 14 months under Mimiko’s government.
“I and many of my colleagues, we are about 62 in number, are yet to get our salaries. In my own case, I was not paid for 14 months under Mimiko. The present administration hasn’t paid me for nine months as well. I earn just N30,000 monthly, yet the government did not deem it fit to pay my money.
“We begged Mimiko to pay us but he left without paying us. Now, we are also pleading with governor Akeredolu not to neglect us.”
The father of six children added that his family has been living in harsh conditions following the non-payment of his wages.
“I haven’t received a salary this year. I’ve been working with the club since 2001 and managed my family on what I earn but the non-payment of my salary for so many months has made things worse for us. “During this COVID-19 period, it’s been hell for my six children and wife, because I’ve been unable to pay my bills.
“Last week, I had to beg for money from a friend for us to feed. The N3,000 my friend gave me was used to buy foodstuffs.
“Governor Akeredolu should please look into this matter. Is it good that we are working but cannot fend for our households? Some ex-Sunshine Stars players in Europe have been helpful but things are tough now. I also used to drive people to other states and make some money in my spare time but all that stopped with COVID-19.”
The Punch