A Pakistani consultancy firm, CHIP Training and Consulting (CTC) has terminated the appointment of a Nigerian consultant, Femi Osuntokun, without his $4,600 remuneration for work done, just two days after he secured a grant from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for the company.
Osuntokun spoke with Lifestyle Nigeria on Sunday and also shared copies of the messages he got from the firm, and the contract signed to confirm the authenticity of his claims.
He explained that he was contacted by Tanveer Amjad, CTC Business Development Coordinator, on February 10, 2022, and offered a consultancy role to help with programme management training in Nigeria. The programme, according to him, was to be funded by UNICEF.
The message he got from Amjad read: “Hello Osuntokun, Femi John, I hope you are well. CHIP Training and Consulting (CTC) is an international management consultancy firm with offices in UK, Nigeria and Pakistan. We intend to apply for assignment in Nigeria, and reached your CV through Dev Aid. I want to check if you are available for the assignment on Programme Management Training (UNICEF), and what is your day rate in USD? Looking forward to hear from you soon. Regards, Tanveer Amjad, Business Development Coordinator, CTC.”
He told Lifestyle Nigeria: “I was contacted via a phone call by Tanveer, a staffer of CTC Pakistan, on the 10th of February 2022. He informed me of a bid for a consultancy, saying he found my details on a consultancy or job platform. I shared my CV with him and we kept talking about the roles and opportunities.
“A few days later, we agreed on a daily rate of $180. He shared the ToR with me and I told him I would be available to provide support to the process. On the 17th of February 2022, I signed a statement of exclusivity and availability.
“In May, I signed a contract that was in effect from 18th of May 2022 till the end of the exercise.
“After the engagement, I continued to support the process at every stage by contributing to the inception report submitted to UNICEF. One of the key contributions that saw the light of the day was the need for us to have a control group in the study.”
In the middle of the project, he made trips to Abuja, Kano, Zamfara and Katsina on behalf of the company but his welfare and travel expenses were never refunded.
Osuntokun noted that he only received a refund for his trip to Abuja after his complaints.
“We presented ( PowerPoint ) the work to UNICEF on the 25th of August 2022. UNICEF staff okayed it. I got my sack letter on the 27th of August, two days after,” he said in a chat with Lifestyle Nigeria.
Efforts Made By Osuntokun Following The Development
Asked about his efforts after the sudden termination of his appointment by CTC, Osuntokun said he is lawyers are on the matter and demanded for an immediate payment of the
following sum:
1. NGN98,600 being and representing the outstanding feeding and transport expenses in Naira to his Naira Account
2. $4,600 in US Dollars being and representing outstanding payment due and payable for his contract terms in to his Domiciliary account.
3. $50,000. US Dollars being and representing the sum payable for the remaining duration of the contract and for inconveniences suffered by our client.