Ifeyinwa Rhodes-Vivour (née Aniebo), wife of the former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has been accused of owing her former employee.
The ex-employee Chika Jones took his case to X on Monday, noting that he began working for Mrs Rhodes-Vivour in 2019 on her project called Afroscientric.
He wrote, “Sometime I think in 2019, I started working for @IfyAniebo as several things including a writer and social media manager on this project – https://afroscientric.com.
“Not long after I realized that getting paid on time was a problem. The salary was delayed sometimes for months…
“Sometime in May 2020, Ify complained that I was not doing enough on the work. And that for a particular month, she would only pay some part of the salary not the full thing. I agreed. Even that money I did not get till months later.
“Because of the complaint, I increased my efforts even beginning a regular Instagram Live series on women in STEM. Ify praised the work but the issues with payments continued.
“This continued till January 2021, when @IfyAniebo got a project from Nature (the journal). And said I would work on it as project manager among other things. Because of the size of the project, she also said I would be paid separately for my monthly 80,000 Naira at the time.”
Mr Jones said he did 70 per cent of the work on the project as his boss was busy. According to him, by December 2021, Rhodes-Vivour gave excuses as to why she had not paid him.
Sharing screenshots of his alleged chats with her, he continued: “From December 2021 till May 2022, I do not ask for the money. In May 2022 I reach out again.
“This time she says I am bombarding her so she will not pay it. I tell her I will have to resort to other means to get my money and she says do your worst I will not pay.”
Jones said he tried to reach out to Mr Rhodes-Vivour for intervention but got no response.
“My ask is clear – @IfyAniebo You are owing me 778 pounds. It is money I worked for. You are not more than me. Pay me,” he added.
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Jones said he did not bring the issue up in the build-up to the 2023 elections because he did not want it to be politicised.
Reacting to the allegations, Mrs Rhodes-Vivour, a molecular geneticist with a special focus on malaria drug resistance, said in a statement posted on X on Tuesday that she would work towards resolving the issue.
“I am aware of the statements made by a former staff engaged to render services to Afroscientric. Rest assured, I take this matter seriously and I’m actively addressing it to ensure a timely resolution,” the statement said.
“It’s important to note that the recent tweets do not accurately reflect my character and the reputation I’ve worked hard to cultivate over the years.
“Afroscientric started in 2016 because we sought to bridge the gap that kept young African women from getting into science. Our main aim was to pass on unique skills and knowledge to the next generation of young African women. Thankfully, and with the support of many organizations and well-meaning individuals, we’ve been achieving this objective.
“I’m committed to transparency and fairness, and I appreciate the understanding extended to me as I work towards resolving this issue.”
