Ambode, Ugwuanyi must hear this! Airport cleaner raises the alarm over empty promises on returned N32m cash

…She returned millions to owners 4 times but got N7, 000 from third party
…Lagos, Enugu govts yet to give her houses, redeem other pledges
Josephine Ugwu, a former cleaner at the Murtala Muhammed International Ikeja, Lagos, that found and returned several millions of naira while on duty, has called on individuals and State governors who made pledges to her, to redeem their promises.

Speaking exclusively with our correspondent, Ugwu, who was then working as a cleaner with Patoviki at the airport, explained that various state governments that promised her rewards have reneged on their promises.

According to her, while she returned N12 million found at the MMIA to the owner, she was given N5000 by a third party without seeing the owner of the said amount. She added that the owner of the money found in Enugu and was returned, gave her N2000.

While commending members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for bestowing an award on her, she explained that the House promised to name a street and provide a house for her but lamented that nothing had been done.

Ugwu explained that the administration of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola during a farewell party organised in May 2015 for him by the Lagos State government, assured her that the incoming administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that would take over, would address and redeem the promise made to her since there was continuity in government. Since then, Ugwu noted that she has not been able to reach them after the farewell ceremony.

She said, “Individuals, schools and churches in Lagos State tried for me. If other states tried like Lagos State, I will not work in FAAN. Lagos State House of Assembly tried, they gave me an award with money. Am very happy.

“But the day they gave me award at the Lagos State House of Assembly, they promised to name a street or hospital in my name and said they will give me a house but I have not seen it.

After that, May 27, 2015 when former Governor Fashola held a farewell party, he told me that my letter came late to him but was shifting it to the incoming Governor Ambode to give me an award but since then, they have not called me”.

She, however, commended former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, whom according to her, treated her very well.

Ugwu noted that she would have left her present job today to set up her business assuming other prominent Nigerians came to her aid like Dr. Kalu.

She further told our correspondent: “I have returned money, not only once but four times. The first one in 2006 in Enugu N10. 2 million before I came to Lagos.

The second one -December 23, 2014, that one is N7. 3 million. Again, the same year, December 27, 2014, I returned N3. 6 million and January 23, 2015, I also returned N12.05 million”.

When asked what has been her rewards or commendation from government and owners of these millions, Ugwu simply puts it, “Sincerely, only one person – the owner of the N7.6million, the white man that gave me $50 after searching himself and said he was out of money. I said God thank you because the money will settle part of my house rent.

“So he took my phone number, he was the only one that responded. Others like one of them gave security men N15, 000 and they called me and told me to collect N5000 but I rejected it and told them that if the owner wants to give me money, he will give me because he is an Igbo man from Anambra.

“I did it because of God not human being and left but the security insisted I must collect the N5000. But the one in Enugu gave me N2000 because I was not there when the owner of the money came.

The one of N12 million called me last year and asked ‘are you still working in Patoviki? I said no but with FAAN now and he promised to call me when he comes back that I should send account details but till now, he has not called nor sent anything”.

Speaking on her expectations, Ugwu said: “I use this opportunity to remind those who promised me rewards because am not forcing them because they have done something for me.

“I am from Enugu and they also promised to name a street after me, since then nothing has been done but I was told Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has given approval but nobody has called to inform me.

“Some of them collected my phone number and promised to call me for reward but till today no calls, but I am happy”.

In 2006 at Enugu, Ugwu found and returned N10. 2million, N7. 3million in 2014 in Lagos, while in 2014, she also returned N3. 6million and in 2015 N12million.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kehinde Bamgbetan, proved abortive as he did not respond to several telephone calls and text messages at press time.