A controversial job offer by Ossai Ovie Success, the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has sparked a major backlash from Deltans and public affairs commentators. The offer, made to a passenger at the centre of a widely publicised incident with Ibom Air, has been condemned as a "reckless disregard" for public sensibility and a sign of a wider problem in government communication.
The controversy began when Ossai Ovie Success publicly extended a series of offers to Emmanson Comfort, the passenger involved in the Ibom Air "fiasco." In a widely circulated social media post, Success stated: "I'm offering Comfort Emmanson a complimentary trip to Delta State... Additionally, a job opportunity with a monthly salary of N500,000 has been secured for her in Delta State."
Zik Gbemre, a prominent public commentator, was particularly critical, accusing Ossai of "reckless public statements" that "pour spit" on his principal, Governor Oborevwori. Gbemre argued that the aide's actions were disrespectful and insulting to both the governor and the state. He questioned the decision to invite a person he described as "unruly" and a "hookup merchant" to headline a state-sponsored event, the Delta Social Media Summit.
Gbemre further suggested that Ossai’s actions were an attempt to stir conflict between Delta and Akwa Ibom, the state that owns Ibom Air. "In bringing Delta government's name into it, was Ossai directed by Oborevwori to shame Governor Umo Eno for his state's ownership of Ibom Air?" he queried.
Gbemre also added that the governor’s silence on the matter shows a lack of awareness, stating, “is he being used to do some organised dirty job of stirring conflict between Akwa Ibom and Delta? How could he be so reckless as to 'pour spit' on Governor Oborevwori under this shaky political climate?
“The barrage of disapproving comments his invitation and promises to Comfort have elicited already proves the extent he has insulted the governor and Delta state with this height of disrespect for a boss.
“I maintain I don't blame Ossai. Other than wooing the community of social media praise singers to hype a mediocre governor, what real value is Ossai adding to governance in Delta? With what expertise or experience?
“He couldn't have been this disrespectful under Uduaghan and Okowa. He would have been kicked out. He's under an ignorant and undiscerning governor who may even have taken the whole insulting idea as a compliment. Dey play, Sheriff. Na spit Ossai don take baf you so. Dey there dey laugh.”
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Similarly, Oyoro Alex called the offer a "reckless disregard for the sensibilities of Deltans and Delta State." He expressed disbelief that an aide to the governor would offer a job with a ₦500,000 monthly salary to a "controversial girl whose nudity is on the internet" without knowing her educational qualifications.
Alex questioned whether Ossai's salary was even that high, suggesting the aide was not acting alone. "I strongly believe it must be a directive from a higher authority in Government because the palliatives Ossai offered Ms Comfort are beyond what an Aide to the Governor of his status, Senior Special Assistant, can foot the bill," he stated. He called for the governor to suspend Ossai and investigate the matter.
Another commentator, Elsie Halima Reed, criticised the lack of proper training for social media handlers in government. She noted that a Special Adviser on social media is automatically seen as a representative of the governor unless they issue a clear disclaimer.
"What is lacking in Nigeria’s governance structure is proper training for media handlers on social media ethics," she said. Reed argued that in professional settings, employees are expected to align their public posts with their organisation's values, a standard that should be rigorously applied in government to avoid "unavoidable backlash and liability."
When expressing personal opinions, professionals are expected to include a clear disclaimer, such as “Views expressed here are my own and do not represent the organisation I work for.” Failure to do so can lead to reputational damage and even legal consequences, as companies and public institutions can be held liable for posts made by their employees.
This standard should be applied rigorously in government communications to protect both the public office and the individual from avoidable backlash and liability.”
She added that the general assumption on social media is “that Ossai Ovie Success was sent by Sheriff.”
