Many staff of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State have been sacked following economic hardship occasioned by COVID-19.

The reputable international library is sponsored by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Its Head of Human Resources, Administration and Procurement, Olanike Ogunleye, in a letter sighted by our correspondent, said the development was due to the overwhelming adverse impacts of coronavirus on the organisation.

The organisation added the COVID-19 crisis has made its impossible to sustain its workforce.

The letter reads in part: “As you are aware, the current COVID-19 pandemic has had a toll on all our business significantly.

 “This has resulted to making some difficult business decisions. Due to this situation, we regret to inform you that your employment will be put on hold till further notice.

“You are to hand over all company properties in your possession to the human resource department, who shall do a confirmation of the exit clearance process before your final entitlements (if any) would be paid.”

It was gathered the letter dated May 25 was handed over to affected workers on Friday.

It was also learnt the organisation owed several months of salaries before the layoff.

One of the affected workers confided: “They have been owing salaries since last year. They will pay one and it’s going to be after 3-4 months that they will pay another one.

“This year, they have paid just January salary and half of April salary which was paid on 20th of April.”