Jimoh Ibrahim Goes Tough On Staffers

…Sacks Executive Director of Newswatch Newspapers, Others

…Demotes National Mirror Managing Director

Chairman of Global Fleet Oil and publisher of National Mirror and Newswatch Newspapers/Magazine, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim recently wielded the big stick in his media empire over accusations that bother on negligence and disregard for constituted authorities.

The casualties of the no-nonsense successful businessman included the Executive Director, Publication of Newswatch group of Newspapers/Magazine, Mr Femi Ige and the Managing Director of National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

Our reliable informants disclosed last week that Mr. Femi Ige met his waterloo for permitting the publication of the picture of a popular lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who happens to be an enemy of Jimoh Ibrahim, on the front page of Saturday Newswatch.

“Mr. Femi Ige had come to office on Sunday only to meet his sack letter on Monday morning for allowing the Saturday Editor of Newswatch Newspaper to use the picture of the SAN on the front page of the paper, whereas Jimoh is not in good terms with the lawyer, although the ED Publication did not know this. What surprised us was that the Editor was not sacked or reprimanded over the matter,” said the source.

Jimoh later extended his anger to the former editor of Daily Newswatch, Mr. Fasugba for traveling out of the country without informing the publisher. Sources squealed that the Editor was transferred to Saturday Newswatch as Editor, while he was replaced with the Saturday Editor.

Steve Ayorinde was reportedly demoted as the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of National Mirror Newspapers for traveling out of the country without informing the publisher. An unconfirmed report said that Steve was on leave then, but that Jimoh Ibrahim felt slighted that ‘he did not consider it necessary to inform me of his movement.’ The position of Editor-In-Chief was subsequently taken away from him.

Also sacked by the controversial businessman was the Features Editor of Newswatch Newspapers, Mr. Omololu Kazeem, who had written features about the philanthropic activities of Pastor Temitope Joshua of Synagogue Church of All Nations.

“Jimoh Ibrahim felt bad that someone could write about T.B Joshua in his publication as he does not have regard for the acclaimed man of God. Omololu was given the boot for not seeing beyond his nose. But, we felt this was unfair because he never told anyone, who his enemies were and who his friends were, only God will save us from this man,” a source offered.

One other shocker from the University of Ife-trained lawyer was that he has issued a standing order that none of his staffers should travel out of Lagos without his knowledge, and reportedly added that he would not take things easy with the staffers any longer.