Folasade Adu, a former assistant to Ondo State’s most recent First Lady, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, has come up with accusations of desertion.
Adu claimed that throughout her employment with the former first lady, she was paid N50,000 as a salary with N5,100 being withheld each month for seven years.
A sentimental Adu revealed this yesterday during an interview with journalists in Akure, Ondo state.
Adu said following the unfortunate end of their tenure due to the death of Akeredolu, after quitting her work, she requested compensation from Mrs. Akeredolu, but she was turned down, claiming lack of authority.
A visibly bittered Adu, who spoke in tears describing her struggle, said, “I worked for Her Excellency (Mrs. Betty Akeredolu) for more than seven years.” She gave me nothing when I was leaving.
As her makeup artist, I had seven years of collaboration with her. I used to do her pedicure and style her hair.
“I was paid N50,000 then, but I usually gave back N5,000 to BRECAN. They would have deducted the N5,000 before the salary was paid. They called it ‘give back to BRECAN’. Another N100 was also usually deducted as charges. So, it was N44,900 that usually gets to me as salary at the end of the month,” she narrated.
When asked why the sum of N5,100 was usually deducted from her salary monthly, she disclosed that the deduction was Mrs Akeredolu’s directive.
She said, “That was how it was from the beginning. She (Betty Akeredolu) said we would give back 10% of our salary to BRECAN.”
BRECAN is an acronym for the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, founded by Mrs Akeredolu.
This organization uses patient care, advocacy, public education, and research to spark action against breast cancer in Nigeria.
In 1997, following Mrs. Akeredolu’s breast cancer experience, BRECAN was established.
Adu further said that once her late husband, the former governor, passed away and was buried, the late Akeredolu’s wife withdrew from providing any kind of compensation.
She continued by saying that the previous first lady told her she was out of power and could not help in any way when she asked for help.
After her husband’s (Rotimi Akeredolu) final burial, I stopped working with her. Her daughter asked me what I was going to do when I was about to depart, so I gave her a business plan to reopen my studio for roughly N4 million.
They haven’t responded to me as of yet. I texted Betty Akeredolu, telling her that I was desperate for assistance and that she was my only hope, asking her to please help me. However, she responded that she was currently out of the office and could not help me.
“I usually reach out to her to help me. She once told me that since I have a passport, she would take me out of the country, but till now, nothing.”
She noted that she used to have a studio of her own but lost all her customers while in the service of the ex-first lady.
“Everyone who was a customer of mine has moved on from my store. I’m just lounging around the house,” she said.
Speaking again, Adu broke down in tears and revealed that she was the former first lady’s helper in addition to her job as a hairstylist and makeup artist:
“I always follow her wherever she goes in Nigeria. I would sometimes even assist her.“
Adu, who is currently struggling financially due to her husband’s unemployment, has begged for assistance to reopen her store.
“My husband is not doing anything for now,” she continued. “He had a job before. We rented the car he was using as a cab during Akeredolu’s campaign for a second term in the hopes of receiving something afterwards. Regretfully, the car developed problems and we were forced to sell it for N100,000. As of right now, I have no support from the people of Ondo State. Every day, I’ve been reflecting and crying. To reopen my shop, I need assistance.”
