Josephine Ugwu, the airport cleaner who returned a passenger’s luggage containing local and foreign currencies to the tune of N12m has been rewarded with a N7,200 salary increment.
Ugwu, who works for Patovilki Cleaning Services, a concessionaire engaged by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to keep the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos clean, was on a monthly salary of N7,800 before the incident.
The National Diploma graduate of Our Saviour Institute of Science, Agriculture and Technology, Enugu, now enjoys a N7,200 salary increment, bringing her new salary to N15,000.
During a visit to the airport on Monday,journalists interacted with Ugwu’s colleagues who expressed disappointment that such act of uncommon integrity was not noticed by the government.
They argued that a society that was quick to mete out punishment to offenders should also be quick to reward exemplary behaviour.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of Ugwu’s colleagues lamented that the government did not have a culture of rewarding and encouraging exemplary behaviour.
She said, “Some people have abused her and called her a fool for returning the bag. It now looks as if what she did was wrong. Most people will not be motivated to follow her lead when faced with similar situation. The government should have, at least, sent her a commendation letter for what she did.” Another colleague, identified simply as Faith, also expressed disappointment. She said Ugwu had returned passengers’ luggage with money in them for a record third time and all three had gone unnoticed.
She said, “Twice in December 2014, she returned passengers’ luggage with huge sums of money in them.
“One contained about N600,000 and the other had close to N2m. if it were to be a case of stealing and she was caught, I am sure the government would have been quick to send her to jail.”
Ugwu, however, said she had no regrets for what she did, but would not mind being compensated.
She said, “I believe that a good name is better than riches. This incident has taken my name far and wide and I am happy that it is for a good cause. God’s reward is the ultimate, but if the government will give me a proper job as promised, I will be happy.
“My company on its part has tried and I am grateful for the management’s action. My salary has been increased and I have also been promoted.”
Mrs. Eunice Anumudu, Ugwu’s supervisor at the airport, praised her integrity and uprightness, saying that Ugwu had become a role model, not only for her colleagues, but for all Nigerians.
“What she did is worthy of emulation. Many people in her shoes would have done otherwise. She is a role model to her colleagues and to all Nigerians. I will be happy if the government can do something to encourage her,” she said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Imagine 7,200 increment for returning 12m hmmmm, that's why 80% of Nigerians will not return this money. What was one person doing with 12m cash if it was not stolen in the first place? This woman dnt really know what to call you sha.
ReplyDeleteu are not normal. two wrongs does not make a right. if the money was stolen and you take whats the difference between you and the first thief?
DeleteWhich 80%. 99.9% of 9ja will move that money. It's like she didn't open the bag. She thought It was a bomb. See her earthly reward. Hmmmm 9ja.she can't be my role model. God for bid it.
DeleteStory for the gods,as for me.....nothing will make me to return that money! 7,200 increment..mtchewww!!!! what about the owner of the luggage?This country that only the rich get richer and the poor gets poorer!!
ReplyDeleteIts people like you who has defaced the meaning of dignity in labour. let me tell you that I will do exactly what the woman has done and bring honour to het family.Honesty pays in the long run.
DeletePlease say amen to this .. may your children emulate your character and take after your actions...now say amen to this if you still want to be dishonest?
Lovely response! Lol. Amen for him/ her!
DeleteFor records sake passengers should hold their luggage safe because I don't see anymore Nigerians returning missing luggage as the compensationis mockery.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the relevant authority.
7, 800 for a whole month? That will not buy our govt officials tooth pick fir a month. Eg ASO Rock waste disposal budget. How much is this benevolent company charging FAN for one of these cleaners that they pay a staff 7,800? And we have a govt and agencies that are supposed to ensure that these type of modern day slavery and exploitation is curbed. Salary after being doubled is not up to minimum wage. Anyway its good if her salary was increased in such a manner but there should be an encouraging compensation aside from this.
ReplyDeleteThank God she is an Igbo lady, let many idiots understand that there are many good igbos ,because if she had stolen the money and was caught, they would personalize it to the igbos with the theory that igbos love money more than any other thing on earth, and that no Igbo person can return such amount of money if forgotten
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why honesty and integrity should be emulated by all. You have just affiliated your ethnic group to the good gesture of Mrs Ugwu and felt a sense of pride as a Igbo person, this is a good reason why we should all emulate her and other Nigerians that have demonstrated that there are many honest Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious leanings. I will do exactly what Mrs Ugwu has done and raise my head high in front of my children as a mentor and also be at peace with God Almighty.
DeleteYou have done very well by returning the found bag. This is the standard practice at airports all over the world. My wife had left her bag at Dubai airport and didn't notice until we were airborne. The bag contained money, Gold and several other valuables, it was not only found but sent via the next flight to us. If she didn't return the money she would have been caught by the CCTV camera at the airport anyway which will adversely affect her company contract with the Airport authority.
ReplyDeleteHonesty is the best policy but CCTV in Lagos airport? Chances are slim. I won't impose such trust on our ppl. How many stowaway in the last two months? One died on an Arik flight last week did they see it on CCTV?
DeleteSo this is How poor they pay people in Nigeria Even after the increment er salary is not up to $100.
ReplyDeleteand not up to N1800.00 minimum wage that employer and the contractor is encouraging people to thief in our airport
God 4bid make I return dat kind of money
ReplyDeleteIf u don't return it u will be caught and punished. There are cameras all over the airport environment. She knows exactly dat, she doesn't hv a choice but to return it.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how many bags go missing without trace in our airport daily? There are cctv fittings but u nd i know say dem no dey work. Small tin our control tower for no dey function. Abi na d 419 renovation dey nake u talk like this?
DeleteCameras for 9ja. Or Nepa no dey take light again. She is nt smart. For me, I for move the bag. Mk they see if 12m can't move me out of this country.
DeleteGood gesture. Keep it up. Don't be weary of doing good. The reward is enormous both on earth and in eternity.
ReplyDeleteFor those who think she was stupid to have handed over the money, is that not what we accuse our leaders of? We talk of corruption everyday as if it' s only the government that should be clean of it. How are we faring in our various positions or duty posts? Our consciences have been seared that we don't consider cheating others as anything. What shall it profit a man of he gains the whole world and loses his soul? A man's life does not consist in the abundance of what he possesses, so the bible tells me. Also, we brought nothing into this world and we shall go with nothing. We shall also give account of our lives and deeds to God.