The HEADIES AWARDS is arguably one of Africa’s biggest music awards. Started out from a simple music magazine, the award, which has been held consistently for the last 12 years, has stamped itself in the hearts of fans, artists, and music producers, alike, as the music award to look forward to.
This year was no different. The 13thHEADIES AWARDS, which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, was set up to be as glamorous as ever. And of course, celebrities from all industries took the opportunity to come out and slay. Ex-housemates of the just concluded Big brother Nigeria were not left out, as they turned up and some like; Mercy, Mike, and Tacha, got the opportunity to present awards on the big stage.
After winning the award for rookie of the year in the 2018 HEADIES AWARDS, singer TeniApatha was all shades of excited as she carted away four awards this year for; best pop single, best vocal performance, the best recording of the year and the HEADIES Viewer’s Choice. 
It was indeed a big night.
The only damper on the festivities was the obvious absence of key industry members such as; Davido who was by his wife’s side as she birthed their son, Wizkid; who had his concert on the same night at the 02 arenas in London and took with top acts like Burna Boy, Zlatan, NairaMarley amongst others.
This left fans wondering where the real HEADIES AWARDS was taking place.
That was bad, but what was really ugly, however, was the fact that whiles the management of Smooth Promotions; organizers of the HEADIES AWARDS and owners of HipTV, spent millions of naira to put together an award worth talking about, they have neglected the staff they employed to carry out these duties.
An insider reported that staff members of the popular music TV have not been paid salaries for the last two months. To add salt to pepper, they were not even given tickets to the HEADIES AWARDS until later into the awards and after much clamoring.
It is not uncommon for media firms to owe staff, however, it is callous by any standard to spend money on one of the best designers; Tiannahs Place Empire, outsource experiential to Live Spot (one of the most expensive), all while using your staff tirelessly, not paying them and then not even allowing them the dignity of having easy access to the event they worked so hard on.
A staff member who will not be disclosed, expressed his pain more openly when he made a post which has since been taken down, saying “see this shirt wey I dey wear, e no mean anything, I no get a ticket. Alaye, hustle o, make you no go work for company wey no fit give you a ticket.”
The strength of any organization is in its manpower, and until the staff is prioritized, employers should expect the minimum from them.
SUNDAY ADEBAYO