There Is Dignity in Waking Up Without Fear of Immigration Raids The Nation We Criticize, The Nation That Came for Its Own As a plane carrying 262 Nigerians touched down in Lagos from South Africa, it carried more than passengers. It carried stories. Stories of survival, disappointment, fear, resilience, and perhaps most importantly, a renewed understanding of what it means to belong. For years, many of these Nigerians left home in pursuit of opportunities. Like millions of Africans before them, they crossed borders believing that prosperity could be found elsewhere. Some built businesses. Some raised families. Some spent more than a decade trying to establish a life in a foreign land. Then reality arrived. The anti-immigration protests that swept across parts of South Africa reminded many foreigners of a painful truth: regardless of how long one stays abroad, there are moments when citizenship becomes more valuable than currency, more protective than wealth, and more important than amb...
In the quiet corridors of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), voices that bring daily news to thousands across the state echo with silent frustration. Behind the microphones and cameras are men and women who have worked for years, some for nearly two decades, yet remain invisible in the eyes of the government they serve.
They are called casual staff, but their commitment is anything but casual. They present the news, edit programmes, maintain transmission equipment, and cover major state events, including the offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly. But unlike their confirmed colleagues, they have no appointment letters, no benefits, and no certainty about tomorrow
For these workers, the OSBC has become both a workplace and a waiting room, a place where dreams of permanent employment have lingered for far too long.
Years of Service, Without Recognition
Many of them were brought in during the administrations of former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola to fill critical vacancies and keep the station running. They stepped in when the government needed them most, ensuring that Osun’s voice stayed on the air.
Then came what seemed like a long-awaited breakthrough. In October 2022, a month before leaving office, Governor Oyetola reportedly issued appointment letters to several of the casual staff. Joy filled the air. After years of uncertainty, it seemed the struggle was finally over.
But that joy was short-lived. The letters were never implemented, and when the government changed hands, the process was frozen once again.
A Promise Renewed, and Betrayed
When Governor Ademola Adeleke assumed office, he came with promises of reform, pledging to address outstanding employment issues, including the plight of OSBC workers. Verification lists were drawn up, and many dared to hope once more.
But according to sources within the corporation, hope turned to heartbreak. The process was allegedly hijacked by political interests. Insiders say that almost half of the long-serving workers were quietly removed from the recruitment list, replaced with newly connected names.
“It was like being erased,” said one affected staff member, his voice trembling with emotion. “We’ve been here for years, giving our best, and suddenly we are told we no longer exist.”
The alleged manipulation stalled the entire recruitment exercise. And with that, the loyal workers were left in limbo again, working daily, but still not officially recognized
Living on ₦25,000 a Month
For those who remain, survival has become a test of endurance. Most of the casual staff earn around ₦25,000 monthly — barely enough to feed a small family. They receive no pensions, no medical benefits, and no assurance of tomorrow.
“They work like permanent staff but are treated like volunteers,” said one insider. “Some have spent five to ten years doing the same job as confirmed workers, yet they can’t even access a loan or a promotion.”
Still, they show up every day. The newscaster takes her seat at the microphone, the technician adjusts the transmitter, the cameraman sets up his lens — all hoping that one day, someone in power will finally see them.
Silence of Labour and the Weight of Politics
Adding to their frustration is what many describe as the failure of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun to stand by them. The workers accuse the union of choosing political loyalty over justice.
“The NLC is supposed to fight for us, but they became political motivators,” one staff member said bitterly. “They chose silence over justice.”
Even the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, led by Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, has made efforts to intervene, urging the government to fulfil its promise. But so far, those efforts have yet to bring results.
A Test of Governance and Conscience
Observers now see the OSBC recruitment crisis as more than a labour issue. It has become a test of governance, a measure of how much value Osun places on loyalty, fairness, and service.
Each change in administration seems to reset progress, pushing career workers back to the start. The result is a cycle of frustration that drains morale and undermines public trust in government institutions.
Experts are calling for a transparent, non-political resolution — one that verifies genuine workers, rewards years of service, and removes the shadow of politics from public employment.
The Voices That Refuse to Fade
As the sun sets behind the OSBC transmission mast in Oke Baale, Osogbo, the newsroom hums with activity. The bulletin must go on air. The reporters must file their stories. The station must speak — even if its own workers remain unheard.
For these men and women, their story is not just about unpaid labour. It is about dignity, justice, and the simple human desire to be recognized for one’s service.
Governor Ademola Adeleke now faces a defining choice: to continue the silence or to write a new chapter — one where service is rewarded and loyalty finally finds justice.
Until then, the voices of OSBC will keep broadcasting, steady, resilient, and hopeful, waiting for the day their own story will finally change.
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