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Diezani, PDP And The Price of Impunity | By: Cassidy Madueke

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The raid on a luxury home in London and detention of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigerian’s ex-minister of Petroleum and one of the oil amazons and influencers in Jonathan’s administration on October 2, 2015 by London Police on money laundering and corruption charges is a practical and undeniable exposure on the level of criminality and corruption perpetrated against Nigerians by some of the public office holders in the last PDP led government.

Most startling to Nigerians is not merely the level and amount of resources wasted and stolen, but more despicable and impulsive is the level of impunity and manner at which majority of the public office holders in the Jonathan administration carried out such indecency and anomalies against their country and her citizens.

Not within my living memory have I seen or recall anywhere in the world where endemic corruption, gross misappropriation and misapplication of public funds and nonchalant attitude towards the yearnings and aspirations of the people were visibly adopted as a way of governance by any government on the surface of the earth except in the case of Nigeria and by the then led PDP government. That not only represents complete opposite of campaign promises, but also a caricature  and gross abuse of peoples’ expectation in any democratic set up or arrangement.

The level of impunity, carelessness, free looting of national treasury, misappropriation of public funds, institutional decay, lack of respect and value for  Nigerians, arrogantly and publicly displayed by the top guns of the last PDP led administration cannot be  over emphasized.
 It is not propaganda that the ongoing money laundering and corruption charges against the immediate past petroleum minister  Diezani  Madueke in London will be a mere tip of an iceberg compared to the damage done to this country and her citizens in the last 8 years. It is worthy of note that the deep injury inflicted on the Nigeria socio-economic and political system, no doubt requires a timely application of advanced, reliable and appropriate medication. The hostile and irresponsible platforms instituted by the past regimes need to be systematically dismantled in all ramifications to give way for the nation’s genuine movement to greatness.  The hope and light of achieving these long awaited feats and march to greater Nigeria was beamed on the entire nation when Nigerians sang the lyrics of positive change which manifested in the historic victory of PMB in the march 28, 2015 presidential election. Little did Nigerians realize that against all adds, here comes the beginning of a new and prosperous dawn in the history of leadership and governance in our dear and only country Nigeria.

The emergence of the new sheriff and reformed democrat (Muhammudu Buhari) as the newly democratically elected president of Nigeria gave a huge sigh of relief and optimism to well meaning and teaming Nigerians, shows of God’s grace and march towards a new dawn. It was also greeted with fear, applaud and excitement by various categories of individuals/ persons and groups.
As the corrupt past and present public office holders are gripped with fear of consequences of their indecent and corrupt practices, applaud were accorded to the foot soldiers and heroes of change while excitement befell majority of Nigerians who have for long been praying and clamouring for positive change that will usher in pragmatic and proactive measures on the war against the endemic diseases of corruption, insecurity/insurgency and unemployment. What are envisaged under a PMB administration are tools to encourage economic revamp and  diversification, stability and sustainability, as well improved living conditions of the citizens among others.
Taking cognizance of the fact the new leader (PMB) with  due commitment to the rule of law and order,  capacity to weather the storm as well as equipped  with  capacity and temperament of doing things the right way without fear or favour, some groups/persons, particularly  the opposition PDP has become critical of Mr. president’s categorical and strong worded statement that the fight against corruption and indiscipline must get to a logical conclusion. The very modest and unpurchasable president further stated  that anyone found guilty of the dangerous and deadly disease (corruption)  irrespective of the person’s status, social, religious or political affiliation will face the wrath of the law.
President Buhari went further to urge Nigerians not to exercise any fears, but rather people should fear the consequences of their action.
Without mincing words  President Buhari has in no small measure shown commitment to the rule of law, transparency, purposefulness  and simplicity in the handling of government affairs. His tenacity and zeal to wipe out corruption, strengthen the nation, revamp the economy, clean the huge rot his administration inherited as well as his diplomatic shuttles to reposition Nigeria’s image and values within the comity of nations are pointers to Buhari’s purposefulness which without contention deserves applaud, encouragement, and support.
The achievements so far recorded by this administration in power sector, anti-corruption, security and firm promises to wipe out Boko Haram/ insurgency by the end of the year has hugely rekindled the confidence and believes by international community on Nigeria’s ability and readiness to offer /provide conducive  investment environment, secure and profitable international business relations.
       Astonishing and despicable is the outcry of selective persecution, by the opposition  PDP  that Buhari’s anti-corrupting war is targeted at members of their party and public office holders under Jonathan administration only. But my response to the wailing wailers is simple: if the then ruling PDP under the leadership of Jonathan  had deemed it necessary to do the simple things the right way, check-mate recklessness, misappropriation, corruption and wasteful spending of public fund entrusted to them, the entire nation would have been today enjoying robust economy, adequate infrastructure, stability and sustainability in all sectors, adequate and efficient security of lives and properties of the citizens among others, but unfortunately the reverse was the case notwithstanding the huge resources and excess crude oil gains available to the Jonathan administration. With analytical statistics indicating the immediate past administration as the worst corrupt government in the last fifty years of Nigeria, prompting the present PMB administration to have no choice than to embark on a meaningful and result oriented anti-graft war to save the economy and mass unemployment.  This laudable anti-graft initiative applauded by well meaning Nigerians and the international community is already recording significant and tangible results.
        It would be more appropriate and for PDP to shorn  and arrogance apologize to Nigeria for its sixteen years of  massive fraudulent  and deceitful leadership and governance that left in its wake a Nigeria in a pitiful state particularly the South- eastern region. The region deserves better than this horrible and sorrowful infrastructure mess which is not in tandem with the zone’s wholesome and unimpeachable support for Goodluck  Jonathan and his PDP. The opposition party and its cronies need to embrace this new march to greatness  engineered by the present administration, instead of engaging in war of attrition, unconstructive and baseless criticisms over the genuine and renewed fight against corruption and insecurity by PMB, which PDP government failed woefully to address inspite of the level of support, goodwill and resources at their disposal.
Cassidy Madueke, is the Secretary of Buhari Media Support Group. He writes from Abuja.

Veteran actors, Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva celebrate 30th wedding anniversary.

 
3 decades and still going strong! Unarguably Nollywood’s most celebrated couple,  Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary today. The award-winning filmmakers are blessed with two children.

And it has loaded..30 years ago on 16th November 1985 we said “I Do”. It is a day of thanks To our Heavenly Father for all those who made those 30 years doable..my late mum and dad. Chief Afolabi Silva and Dr (Mrs) Abimbola Silva. They both tried to be fair…but mum was most times in Olus corner and Dad leant towards mine��
My late sisters in law mama Shomolu and mummy Ibadan. ..my late brothers in law Papa London and Papa Fermi. ..all of them so protective of me��God in his wisdom has called you home. Your blessing will not decrease. We miss you all.

My sisters Bisi Silva and Toyin Olawoye…nudging us to get married those many years ago…Sister Buki& Uncle Laolu Akintobi ..Bunmi Tejumola Faith Eboigbe my warriors…Chisom Ezoke daughter sister friend… Sinmi Adesanya supporters no matter what������…Moji Olagbegi pastor in the house ����Bunmi and Soji Oyinsan besto of life you never held your punches from either of us and made sure we made it work..������..Lola Fani-Kayode there from the beginning…taking me by the scruff of the neck and shaking me until I found my way back to my Lord Jesus..����..Thank you.

Our Son’s Olusoji and Olugbenga our Jewels God bless you. May you both find bone of your bones�� and in the words of my favourite hymn at the moment “Oh God beyond all Praising…”We thank you for these 30 years. May only death do us part and may our love in all its ramifications wax stronger. Thank you all for the good wishes and prayers. God bless you.’ Joke Silva wrote

Photos: Chief Mrs HID Awolowo laid in state

The burial rites of the late matriarch of the Awolowo clan, Chief Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, was held on Sunday, November 15, at the Awolowos’ residence in Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos. Another lying in state will take place at Oke- Bola, Ibadan today. Her remains will be committed to mother earth on November 25th. 

Pics Chief Mrs HID Awolowo burial activities

Chief Mrs HID Awolowo burial motorcade



My Sex…My Choice | By: Akingboye Abosede

Overtime,
the issue of transgender has become a #1 trending on our social media and even
a general topic for discussion in social gatherings. You hear questions like:
‘Why will she change her sex?’ ‘Why is he not satisfied with being a male?’
‘Why will he cut off his genitals?’ ‘Are they saying God’s work isn’t perfect?’
‘What is your take on being a transgender?’
These
questions have caused confusion and disharmony between families, circle of
friends and with neighbours. A whole lot of people have tried to pin the root
of this ‘phenomenon’ but they have never reached a point of agreement.
You
may want to ask yourself what transgender means. Transgender or trans is an umbrella for people whose gender identity or
orientation is different from the sex assigned to them at birth.
Transgender
people come from all walks of life. The transgender community is incredibly
diverse. Some of these people identify as male or female, and some identify as
genderqueer, nonbinary, agender, or somewhere else on or outside of the
spectrum of what we understand gender to be.
Grandqueer
refers to a person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions
but identifies with neither both, or a combination of male and female gender.
Nonbinary
refers to any gender that is not exclusively male or female. Those with
nonbinary genders can feel that they have an androgynous (both masculine and
feminine) gender identity, have an identity between male and female, or have a
neutral or non-existent gender identity. They believe they are neither male nor
female.
Agender
do not conform or identify to any gender (literally without any gender). They
identify as having no gender.
You
may also describe a transgender as a person whose gender identity, geneder
expression or behaviour does not conform to that typically associated with the
sex to which they were assigned to at birth.
Gender
identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female or something
else; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity
to others through behaviour, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body
characteristics.
It
is however important at this point to draw a line between gender identity and
sexual orientation. Sexual orientation refers to an individual enduring
physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to another person; it is who we
are attracted to in a sexual and/or romantic way whereas gender identity refers
to one’s internal sense of being male, female or something else.
Transgender
people may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or asexual, just as
non-transgender people can be. Some recent research has shown that a change or
a new exploration period in partner attraction may occur during the process of
transition. However, recent research have shown that transgender people remain
attached to loved ones after transition as they were before transition.
The
way transgender people are being talked about in popular culture, academia and
science are constantly changing, particularly as individuals’ awareness,
knowledge and openness about transgender people and their experiences grow.
This begs the question…
WHY DO PEOPLE WANT TO BECOME
TRANSGENDER?
There
is no single explanation for why some people are transgender. There are many
theories, but no one knows exactly what makes someone transgender. The
diversity of transgender expression and experiences argues against any simple
or unitary explanation. Many experts believe that biological factors such as
genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences, and
experiences later in adolescence or adulthood may all contribute to the
development of transgender identities.
TRANSGENDER AWARENESS
Transgender
people experience their identity in a variety of ways and may become aware of
their transgender identity at any age. Some can trace their transgender
identities and feelings back to earliest memories. They may have vague feelings
of ‘not fitting in’ with people of their assigned sex or specific wishes to
something other than their assigned sex. Sometimes, a young boy may want to
wear dresses and have tea parties, yet it is nothing more than a phase that
eventually subsides. Other times, however, there is a longing to identify with
another gender or no gender at all that becomes so intense that the person
experiencing it cannot function optimally.
Others
may become aware of their transgender identities or begin to explore and
experience gender-nonconforming attitudes and behaviours during adolescence or
much later in life. Some embrace some transgender feelings, while others
struggle with feelings of shame and confusion. Those who transition later in
life may have struggled to fit in adequately as their assigned sex only to face
later dissatisfaction later in the course of living. Some transgender people,
transsexuals in particular, experience intense dissatisfaction with their sex
assigned at birth, physical sex characteristics, or the gender role associated
with that sex. These individuals often seek gender-affirming treatments.
TRANSITIONING
Transitioning
is the process of changing from one gender to another. People who transition
often start by expressing their preferred gender in situations where they feel
safe. They typically work up to living full time as members of their preferred
gender by making many changes a little at a time. While there is no ‘right’ way
to transition genders, there are some common social changes transgender people
may experience that may involve one or more of the following: adopting the
appearance of the desired sex through changes in clothing and grooming,
adopting a new name, changing sex designation on identity documents (if
possible), using hormones therapy treatment, and/or undergoing medical
procedures that modify their body to conform with their gender identity.
Transition
must begin with a personal decision to transition, prompted by the feeling that
one’s gender identity does not match the gender that one was assigned at birth.
One of the most significant parts of transitioning for many transgender people
is coming out for the first time. Transitioning is a process, not an event,
that takes anywhere between several months and several years. Some people
especially grandqueer may spend their whole life transitioning as they redefine
and re-interpret their gender as time passes. Transitioning generally begins
where the person feels comfortable: for some, this begins with their family
with whom they are intimate and reaches to friends later or may even begin with
friends first and family later. Sometimes transitioning is at different levels
between different spheres of life. For example, someone may transition far with
family and friends before even coming out at work.
OPERATION PROCESS
The
process differs from individual to individual. As a result of this, many
factors may determine how the individual wishes to live and express their
gender identity. The best shot is finding a qualified mental health
professional that is experienced in providing affirmative care for transgender
people is an important first step. A qualified professional can provide
guidance and referrals to other helping professionals. Connecting with other
transgender through peer support groups and transgender community organizations
is also helpful.
Medical and surgical procedures exist for transsexual and
some transgender people. Hormone
replacement therapy for trans men
induces beard growth and masculinises skin,
hair, voice, and fat distribution. Hormone
replacement therapy for trans women
feminises fat distribution and breasts. Laser hair removal or electrolysis removes excess hair for
trans women. Surgical procedures for trans women feminise the voice, skin, face, adam’s apple, breasts, waist, buttocks and genitals. Surgical procedures for
trans men masculinise the chest and genitals and remove the womb and ovaries and fallopian tubes.
SOCIETAL ISSUES
(ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION)
While the visibility of transgender people is increasing in
popular culture and daily life, they still face severe discrimination, stigma
and systemic inequality.
The case of Nigeria Iris Sahhara Hensonn, Nigeria’s first
male transgender is worthy to discuss. He was being jailed in the Nigeria
prison for being too feminine and perceived as gay. According to him, he has
always felt feminine and he only described the sex assigned to him at birth as
a ‘natural defects’. His journey towards being female was wrongly misconstrued
which led to his arrest and jail years.
Another example is the Nigerian transgender man who used to
be a woman, Rizi Xavier Timane. He felt powerless and less-privileged as a
woman- her birth assigned sex- she craved the desire to trans as a male but
face several criticism from families and friends until he choose to take
further steps and relocated to the United States where he now lives as a
heterosexual man after several surgical and hormonal surgery.
The major challenges the transgender face include: lack of
legal protection, poverty, harassment and stigma, anti-transgender violence and
barriers to healthcare.
CONCLUSION

The
quest to be a transgender or not has now become a social phenomenon that begs
for various questions and opinions. The rapid enlightenment has douse the
criticism; although in some part of the world, transgender people still face
backlash and suffer hate and criticism but the awareness has made people to
delve into the subject. The question you hear now is, ‘Are you sure he is a
male or female?’ Many people still feel it is a wrong ideology to embrace
transgender people while others feel the need to celebrate this people and
encourage them.
Societal
values and tradition are more reason why the acceptability of transgender in
some Western countries has become a challenge. People perceive it as been
totally wrong and would readily condemned anyone find encouraging it which has
made many people avert the subject and see no need to discuss it. But the major
question which we ought to ask ourselves is: 
Is it worth it to change your birth assigned sex? What do you stand to
lose or gain if you do?

See who won what at the 2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)

Sauti Sol & Diamond Platinumz

The 2015 edition of the 2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites yesterday November 15, 2015. Nigerian artistes emerged the biggest winners of the night with 8 awards. Recipients include Darey, Kiss Daniel, Olamide, Praiz, Adekunle Gold, Kunle Ayo and Flavour.

the 2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 

Full List of Winners
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Diamond Platinumz
SONG OF THE YEAR
Diamond Platinumz – “Nasema Nawe”, featuring Khadijo Kopa
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Charlotte Dipanda – “Elle n’a pas vu”
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICA (RnB & Soul)
Praiz – Nigeria
BEST AFRICAN REGGAE, RAGGA & DANCEHALL
Stonebwoy – Ghana
BEST MALE ARTISTE: INSPIRATIONAL CATEGORY
Darey – Nigeria
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE: INSPIRATIONAL CATEGORY
Betty Akna- Equatorial Guinea
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Wiyaala – Ghana
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN POP
Vanessa Mdee – Tanzania
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN HIP HOP 
Casper Nyovest – South Africa
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN ELECTRO
Flavour – Nigeria
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Sauti Sol and Cedric Kadenyi – Kenya
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR IN AFRICA
Joseph Chameleone – Uganda
REVELATION OF THE YEAR IN AFRICA
Adekunle Gold – Nigeria
MOST PROMISING ARTISTE IN AFRICA
Kiss Daniel – Nigeria
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY
Charlotte Dipanda
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN JAZZKunle Ayo – Nigeria
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN WESTERN AFRICA
Olamide – Nigeria
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN WESTERN AFRICA
Yemi Alade – Nigeria
BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN ROCK 
M’vula – Kenya
BEST AFRICAN GROUP
Sauti Sol- Kenya
BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION
AKA(South Africa) and Burna Boy(Nigeria)
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Busiswa Ngoku- South Africa
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Casper Nyovest- South Africa
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN NORTHERN AFRICA
Manal- Morocco
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN NORTHERN AFRICA
Ahmed Soultan- Morocco
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA
Tsedenia Gebremarkos- Ethiopia
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA
Diamond Platnumz- Tanzania
PILLAR OF CULTURE IN AFRICA
Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban)

Diezani Madueke is unrecognisable in new photos

Diezani-cancer
Reactions have continued to trail the newly released picture of ex Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke who have been struck with cancer. While some Nigerians described it as a clever attempt at evading prosecution others have simply been empathetic.

Madueke-1Madueke-1

Madueke-12

Lionel Messi, Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, others nominated for SI 2015 Sportsman Of The Year Award

Sports Illustrated’s editors have unveiled the 12 nominees of the 2015 Sportsman of the Year award. Readers of the SI are expected to vote for their preferred candidates on the  website. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 12 and the winner of our reader poll will be revealed on Dec. 13. Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year will be announced on Dec. 14.

2015 Sportsman of the Year contenders

1. Simone Biles (Gymnast)
2. Usain Bolt (Athlete )
3. Steph Curry
4. Thomas Davis
5. Novak Djokovic
6. Carli Lloyd
7. Lionel Messi
8. American Pharoah
9. Ronda Rousey
10. Kansas City Royals
11. Jordan Spieth
12.Serena Williams

On The Trail Of Madam Diezani (Part 2) | By: Dele Momodu

Missed the Part 1 of this article? Click HERE
Fellow Nigerians, what you are about to read is an abridged version of what is probably the most anticipated story of the year. It has now given birth to a big bouncing baby christened The Boss newspaper, an online publication. The Diezani Alison-Madueke story has graced the cover of the first edition of what I believe will be a catalyst for unbiased investigative reporting in Nigeria. The Boss had long been conceptualised as a Leadership newspaper to occupy the void created by lack of true and credible investigative journalism in some traditional and online media. The original plan was to launch in December or early January.
But the Diezani Alison Madueke story changed all that. It was too compelling to restrict to the Pendulum column alone.  And here we are with what promises to be an exciting addition to the media landscape in Nigeria and beyond featuring an enthralling cover story that will educate and entertain the readers.
After that effervescent introduction in Thisday, in which Nigeria’s most influential newspaper published the meeting between this reporter and the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, everyone requested for details of the encounter. Some unbelieving Thomases even suggested the story was pure fiction, or at the very best “faction” to borrow Kole Omotoso’s coinage.
They wondered why a more comprehensive interview could not be published, garnished with clear crispy pictures of Madame Diezani. It was obvious many had read the story in a hurry and did not assimilate the carefully worded tale of a woman in deep pain and anguish for variety of reasons. Of course there were insinuations that it was a public relations stunt but mercifully most readers thought it was a well-balanced story. It even went viral.
That meeting obviously impacted on her decision to open up eventually, two days after episode one. A call came through on Friday November 6, 2015, from a female aide of Mrs Alison-Madueke to request for a meeting the following day at 2.30pm at a location yet to be determined. The appointment was immediately approved. Later in the evening, this ubiquitous aide made yet another call shifting the appointment forward by a few hours to 11am the same Saturday. My response again was yes.
A text message flew into my phone very early Saturday morning. It contained the address and full postcode of a new venue different from the one of two days earlier. The venue turned out to be a popular restaurant near Regent’s Park, famous for its breakfast.
I was a bit surprised and disappointed at the choice of location. I was hoping she was going to give me access to her now famous apartment which was said to have been bought at a most staggering amount, or the new multi-billion dollar home that was rumoured to have triggered the alarm leading to her arrest, claims she would dismiss as tales by moonlight. After waiting for about 20 minutes or so, I heard some footsteps and the once most powerful woman in Nigeria surfaced. She looked slightly better than at our last meeting and I sprang to my feet as we exchanged pleasantries. I mentioned to her that she looks better and she said she’s been resting and gaining strength in preparation for her radiotherapy. She ordered full English breakfast while I settled only for cappuccino. But when the meal arrived she didn’t eat it because she has lost appetite for food generally and was more on fluids. She then asked for American coffee, water and fresh lime instead. She also ordered for tea at some point. Most of the time we spent talking, she coughed intermittently into a napkin and dabbed her mouth with it but she was clearly determined to pour out her obviously heavy mind despite the discomfort I could notice she was struggling to endure. 
There were several off-the-record interludes. More than anything we were both careful not to discuss in detail matters which might impact on the cases and legal problems now bedevilling her. Getting and persuading her to talk in detail about a lot of issues was therefore very difficult. There were other reasons. First, was her obvious paranoia of the Nigerian press. She’s been bruised, battered and blistered, especially in print and on social media. She’s been scandalised, summarily tried and precipitously convicted by the media, according to her. On top of her problems, she’s having a running battle with the most dreaded form of cancer of the breast and she’s had to undergo surgeries to remove the lumps and later some chunky tissue. The treatments have not been that successful and it’s been a ding-dong affair for this once ebullient and elegant lady. 
We had to give assurances of not sensationalising her story if granted access. Of course it has never been our practice to do so and thus this was not a problem.  We promised not to embellish her stories in any way or reveal off-the-record discussions which were truly personal and confidential and had nothing to do with her travails. There was a strict proviso that no form of recording would be allowed and we had to adopt the novelistic style. The result of that covenant is what you’re reading today.
We knew it was going to be very difficult getting pictures in her present not too genial or glamorous condition. That was practically tough on our first meeting as she was just returning from her hospital rounds and looked totally exhausted. We however succeeded in getting a few pictures this time some of which we are revealing for the first time today in The Boss newspaper.
This is a story like no other and it cannot be told like any other. It is a tale from the super highway of power and the fast lane of confusion. Mrs Alison-Madueke had the world not just at her feet but firmly in her palm. She could apparently turn a certified pauper into a certificated billionaire within the twinkle of an eye. In short, she could make and unmake. Diezani was the subject of many fables. And this is the crux of the matter. Her closeness to President Jonathan was a subject of many speculations and I fired my first shot from that direction:
“Is it true that a sister of yours has a kid or kids for President Jonathan?” I asked. “That is totally untrue as I don’t have any such sister or relative!” she said.  She wondered how people could fabricate such blatant lies.
I soon followed with what I regarded as an upper-cut: “It was said that you and the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan were in permanent conflict; why was it so?” She responded that their relationship was cordial enough and she gave the former First Lady the respect she should give the wife of her boss. She went further to say that “What people don’t know is that we’ve been family friends for long. My mum, Mrs Beatrice Agama, has always played the role of a godmother in the Niger Delta and all the militants love and respect her. I come from a royal and privileged background and lacked nothing.”
Now wait for the next shot!  “You’ve been linked to so many young guys who made so much money from you and later absconded or turned against you… What was between you and Chris Aire, Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, Tonye Cole, Dapo Abiodun, Wale Tinubu, Igho Sanomi and others?” I queried her.
Madame Diezani’s response was calm and unruffled: “I vehemently deny any intimacy or liaison with any of these gentlemen.” She noted that she is happily married like most of them are happily married and asserted that she is not the Scarlet Lady that people paint her to be. She sees those rumours as insults on accomplished women who cannot be seen in sensitive positions without running riotous with some men. She said it was important to put in context how she met most of them:
“I was the Chairman of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board and I did my job to the best of ability and intentions. My boss and I were determined to empower Nigerians, especially the young ones, who had the brains and guts to dare.” She noted that in every government, some people must land the big jobs which every human being would love to have. She said “I chose to empower mostly Nigerians and took the power away from foreigners who used to dominate the sector. That was why we pushed for the Nigerian Content Bill, which mercifully we got through. So you cannot expect some forces not to hate me but I was shocked that Nigerians themselves were ready to crucify me mostly on rumours and not verifiable facts. Most leaders before me have suffered a similar fate so I take some comfort from that experience.”
We soon moved the discussion to the many allegations of financial impropriety under her tenure, especially the alleged disappearance of $20billion and other wasteful spending authorised by her.  She observed that she could not go into any real details because of the criminal investigations in Nigeria and England as well as the civil case here.  However she told me she would try and provide general details about these matters because it was important to shed some light on her own involvement from the vantage point of someone actually in Government who believes these things simply cannot happen.
She was visibly angry at the mention of the $20billion: “If there is one issue I must pursue in this world it is the biggest lie of this money. How can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable? This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation. I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money…”
“Rather I worked hard to halt the rampant business of round-tripping. When I brought in Reginald Stanley to clean up the place, I requested for a list of the defaulters. There were about 92 of them and I made sure we sanctioned them. You can imagine the threat to my life but I was ready to defend the economic interests of my country. In fact, we were able to reduce the oil subsidy by about half. No one has applauded our effort.
“There were those who said the then Governor of Central Bank must have been angry at me because of the way the Presidency treated him. In all honesty, he was being blocked from seeing the President by some of Oga’s people (presidential aides) but it had nothing to do with me. I was the one who even told Oga about the development and Oga said he would meet him in London on one of his trips. Unfortunately my boss fell ill and was rushed to King Edward Hospital and the meeting was aborted.”
“Sanusi and I had been friends. There was no way I would have done anything bad to him. He even came to my house to inform me about his interest in heading the African Development Bank and we discussed for about two hours. I promised to support him and I spoke to Oga about it. We were together on the Reconciliation Committee that looked into the accounts of NNPC. Yes there were gaps but not on the alarming scale being circulated. Markafi (former Governor of Kaduna State) did a thorough job. You know he is a very sound accountant.”
What about the allegations that she owns choice properties everywhere?  “It is so sad that anyone could say such about me. Let me say something to you, I live with my husband in the same house we’ve lived since we married in 1999. Ask anyone who knows us. Our house in Abuja was bought in 2007 by my husband and as an architect and lover of interior décor I did it up to our own taste. It is not over the top because I have good taste and appreciate bargains. I shop in regular shops like B & Q to do up all the places where I live. Anyone who tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them. That was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except in picture. The house I stay in London is rented. As a woman I love to look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me by those I buy from and I pay them when I can…” Read the full story at www.thebossnewspapers.com
THE CHESS PLAYER CALLED PRESIDENT BUHARI
If you think you can predict and pre-empt President Muhammadu Buhari, please forget it. With his recent moves, it is obvious he is the master of the game. I wish to commend him on his Ministerial appointments and encourage him to ignore the harsh criticisms that greeted the portfolios assigned to some of the Ministers.
The most controversial is that of Mrs Kemi Adeosun and I totally disagree with those saying she lacks the experience or exposure to run the Finance Ministry. Leadership is about the ability to manage people and resources. It would have been impossible for Ronald Reagan and even Barack Obama to thrive in our clime with our type of attitude. Just imagine if David Cameron and Ed Milibands were Nigerians. Mrs Adeosun should not be distracted. Some of those clamouring for youth participation in governance should be proud of her towering achievements and meteoric rise.
What can I say about Mr Efficiency, Babatunde Raji Fashola? President Buhari has acknowledged brilliance and rewarded hard work by making this great man our de facto Prime Minister.
Congratulations to all Nigerians.
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