Ms. Arunma Oteh, Director General, Security and Exchange Commission, (SEC) who has been in the news over her leadership style was an award recipient in Anambra State recently. In this interview with Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, she speaks on development at the stock market and other sundry issues



Your award as the most historic woman of the year 2012 is coming at a time when you are receiving lots of attacks

I have received a lot of attack recently, but when I got the letter that the Anambra State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists wanted to honour me as the most historic woman of the year, I almost shed tears. This is because despite what people are doing to bring you down, there are people somewhere who are appreciative of the good work we do.

I am not afraid to say that I will always do the right thing as the Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission. I am not moved by what people are doing trying to pull me down, so long as I know that I am doing the right thing. In the past, we had a capital market where people wear suits and sit down to steal money belonging to peasants,[size=15pt] but when I came in I told myself that all these have got to stop. We must sanitise our capital market and build a trust that will let the poor man put his savings in it and be assured that it will not be stolen by people. What I am doing at the SEC, I am ready to die for. I’m not afraid to die so long as I am doing the right thing, and I’m very emboldened by the fact that people are watching, no matter the level of conspiracy against one, people are seeing your efforts and at the right time, one will be rewarded for every good work.[/size]

How best could you describe events happening at the SEC?

A lot is happening and we are trying to grow people’s investment, not by our words but by our actions, and today we have a market that is a world class market. That is why today our equities market, on daily basis, is flocked by values from international investors, which make up 80 percent.

We Nigerians must enjoy the fruit of our hard work, if market prices are low today, and we have some money to save, we should try and put that money in the market so that it will grow your finances and you will have more money.

Are there differences between the capital market you met and the capital market we have today?

We always say at the SEC that, let us learn from the horrible things that happened in the past; our people suffered in the past because there was a lot of misrepresentation.

Even up to 2010 it was still happening. People were told that their money will just double, and many of our people are crying because they sold their houses, they took their life savings and put them there. That is not what we are saying today. We are saying if you want to invest, you must ask questions. It is not enough for us to just tell the people that once you put your money, it will double. Ask questions, if you are told it is Lever Brothers or Nestle, you will know they have a distribution network everywhere and you will make enquiries to know about the market price.

And you must go to meet financial experts and ask them questions before you invest. It is your right to ask questions, but please don’t wait for people to come from other countries and invest today and when you are ready to invest, it would be that prices have gone to the top. Last year when we went to Rivers State, the deputy governor there told us a story. He said his father told him that if you have N10,000 and you cannot save, when you earn N100million you will still not be able to save.

What that means is that you do not have to wait until you have all the money before you begin to save money.

How much have you done to spread the gospel of savings to Nigerians?

Here at SEC, we value journalists a lot. I cannot talk enough about the importance of saving and investing, but those of you who write, who present programmes on TV and on radio probably do more in sending the message about saving and investing, about borrowing long term, listing your companies on the Nigeria Stock market.

For us it is very important that we partner with journalists. One of the new initiatives we have for journalists is that we will have a Journalists Academy this year.

This is because we feel that the more that you are familiar with the Nigerian capital market, the more that you can report back, so when we publicise about the Journalists Academy through the Anambra Council, we encourage journalists in Anambra to apply in your numbers. I think it is on 10th of December that we are going to have the Journalists Academy, but most importantly, next week, we will be publishing a new initiative which we call the SEC award for Journalists, it is an essay competition on the Nigerian capital market, and I encourage you to try and participate in this essay in your numbers.

Saving and investing is very critical to building a nation, and no nation can develop without a strong capital market, if you want medium to long-term money for businesses, it comes from the capital market. One, it creates wealth and helps you to train up your children, so that you can retire and still live well. Everything that is negative in the economy affects the capital market because capital market is about the state of the economy.

What effect do you think that the flood this year will have on the economy?

I feel that Nigeria as led by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a number of very senior private and public sector officials who have been constituted to scout for money to help these people, will do a good work and help save whatever negative impact it may have on the economy. We have Nigerians who have lost their homes and means of livelihood because of the flood, but I know that efforts are in place to see how they can be rehabilitated. This also has to do with agriculture in the country as most farmlands have been submerged and we are hopeful that the federal government will support agriculture. As you know, the federal government is very supportive of agriculture, as agriculture provides 42 percent of our GDP and also 70 percent of employment and, therefore, when something like flood happens, it is important that urgent steps be taken.

Most companies especially in the South East do not get quoted on the stock market, what is the reason for this?

Traditionally, Igbos are known for investing in their children, in real estate and in growing their businesses. I think there are areas where we can learn and do better. We must know that if we must only control our businesses, we will not grow as fast as we hope. We have a town like Nnewi that has some of the greatest businesses in Nigeria, and some of those businesses need to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, so that they can be like Honeywell, Dangote and the rest. We need to encourage our businessmen to move from the culture of controlling their businesses themselves and let others buy into them, so that they can grow. But Igbo people are known for enterprise, but we need to step our games up.



http://thenationonlineng.net/new/saturday-magazine/weekend-treat/interview/im-ready-to-die-for-sec-oteh-2/

Please, go ahead mama!
Nothing do you!

This woman looks in her 50s!
Did she say she was 40-something?
What is she doing with all the money she is 'chopping'?
Even my almost-70-sth year-old-mama nor wrinkle like this her face!
See her hair?
Kai!!!!
Typical MGBEKE!
Mtcheeeeeeeeeeeew. . . .as a single lady, I expect her to look sharper than this.
Juju must be working on that HER ALHAJI!

We must sanitise our capital market and build a trust that will let the poor man put his savings in it and be assured that it will not be stolen by people. What I am doing at the SEC, I am ready to die for. I’m not afraid to die so long as I am doing the right thing, and I’m very emboldened by the fact that people are watching, no matter the level of conspiracy against one, people are seeing your efforts and at the right time, one will be rewarded for every good work.

If you can't steal a 'rich' man's money. . . why can 'YOU' steal a poor man's money? Is it not the same bank?

More like; ready to die for your thieving ways..

Madam its better u live o, because if u die for SEC, life continues.

Alison Madueke is ready to die as Minister for petroleum too! so wots new?

Abegi, all na wash jawe

Good course!

I pity this woman with all these bruhaha Nigeria ain't a country worth dieing for, she should borrow a leaf from Dora Akunyili reign where is she now? She should just be prayerful that her tenure last while GEJ is still in office bcuz am sure any other administration 'll show her the way out.

Abeg make she no die for Nigeria.
Let her just step down as the Senate have recommended. Our Armed forces are enough and ready to die for Nigeria.

Ole, Thief, Barawo, Oyianra. Instead of her to say she wants to die for her pocket.

alaoeri: I pity this woman with all these bruhaha Nigeria ain't a country worth dieing for, she should borrow a leaf from Dora Akunyili reign where is she now? She should just be prayerful that her tenure last while GEJ is still in office bcuz am sure any other administration 'll show her the way out.

Don't be stupiiid..if u head a govt institution and they award #15billions to ur ministry every year..my friend u will die to keep that job...)YEs u will

This idiot corrupt lady suppose to be in jail.The bastard that spent N1m for a plate of food and loot over N50b to private account in the name of capital market 50.Hmmm you are servicing oga GEJ that is why.u steal and nothing happen.

I hope she tread carefully and leave the place when the ovation is loudest, nothing in the country so far is worth dieing for talk less of a government agency where you are only celebrated when on the throne.

They always remember poor man when they talk in public but that is the last thing on their minds when they loot

Good for her.

Why not
A policeman can die for his checkpoint!

Let her bring Otedola, IGI and Globe Re to justice first

shymexx: More like; ready to die for your thieving ways..

Pls don't insult people just because NL is anonymous. What do you mean by thieving ways? That woman has not stolen a dime in SEC, if she did she would have been out with all the hatred borne her by the real thieves at national assembly. in 2011 SEC under Oteh spent N1.2billion on ICT infrastructure turnaround and ALL the companies that won jobs all won on merit! I also have it on authority none of them could go near her to say 'thank you'. I dare you to refute this so that I can lambast you with more details. Please stop insulting people who are doing the right thing even if they have some personality issues, focus on what their assignment is and whether they are meeting it. Oteh was a vice president at ADB before coming to nigeria, go and ask what her annual package is? Aside ADB staff have diplomatic status incase your ignorant self is unaware. She was already very very successful before coming back to this crap country

Well, as for me. I ve only one question to ask....., Is it true dat this lady is nt married?? because someone is say rubbish to me ova here.

nyere84: Well, as for me. I ve only one question to ask....., Is it true dat this lady is nt married?? because someone is say rubbish to me ova here.

She used to be married but not anymore,

chief batiatus:

Pls don't insult people just because NL is anonymous. What do you mean by thieving ways? That woman has not stolen a dime in SEC, if she did she would have been out with all the hatred borne her by the real thieves at national assembly. in 2011 SEC under Oteh spent N1.2billion on ICT infrastructure turnaround and ALL the companies that won jobs all won on merit! I also have it on authority none of them could go near her to say 'thank you'. I dare you to refute this so that I can lambast you with more details. Please stop insulting people who are doing the right thing even if they have some personality issues, focus on what their assignment is and whether they are meeting it. Oteh was a vice president at ADB before coming to nigeria, go and ask what her annual package is? Aside ADB staff have diplomatic status incase your ignorant self is unaware. She was already very very successful before coming back to this crap country

Listen brother, I'm not stupid... If she's as saintly as you want us to believe, how come she's always in the news for the wrong reasons? Who wants to live a stressful life without benefits? The SEC isn't her family business - and if there's nothing there to steal, she would have resigned time ago...

Are all the thieving politicians in Nigeria no successful? Why are they stuck in corruption?

Minion: Ur Wickedness! This woman is ready to die for her purpose. She is the the very personification of bravery, is she not?
Hades: Hmm! Young one! There is a lot you know not. To die for a cause is a great sacrifice oh yes! but to live for a cause, an even greater sacrifice!
Minion: My Lord! Ur wisdom baffles me

Abeggiii we do not want u to Die for SEC, pack well oh . better do your job and leave the rest. wayo Nigerians

nyere84: Well, as for me. I ve only one question to ask....., Is it true dat this lady is nt married?? because someone is say rubbish to me ova here.

And what the heck about it? Must evryone marry? Culture and religious freak. Smh

topsyking:
Don't be stupiiid..if u head a govt institution and they award #15billions to ur ministry every year..my friend u will die to keep that job...)YEs u will

U don't understand my point of view am not saying she shouldn't die protecting her job but rather saying she should be diplomatic in her dealings to be able to chop in future administration but with the way things are going her reign 'll end with GEJ administration compare τ̲̅ȍ some that have been chopping since 1999.

Is this not the same woman that chop 1m every day?
is this not the woman that lived in five star hotel for one yr?
Mr woman your are fool for deceiving the youth of
this country.

Die for SEC?
Is she nuts?

Callotti: Please, go ahead mama!
Nothing do you!

This woman looks in her 50s!
Did she say she was 40-something?
What is she doing with all the money she is 'chopping'?
Even my almost-70-sth year-old-mama nor wrinkle like her face !
See her hair?
Kai!!!!
Typical MGBEKE!
Mtcheeeeeeeeeeeew. . . .as a single lady, I expect her to look sharper than this.
Juju must be working on that HER ALHAJI!



If you can't steal a 'rich' man's money. . . why can 'YOU' steal a poor man's money? Is it not the same bank?

Blazay, may God forgive you for what you said above.

OP, change the topic: Arunma Oteh is ready to die for the continuous inflow of oil money. Bloody, thieving politicians Continue looting nah!

She should should not die O! She is one of those who has been "earmarked" for killing when the revolution comes. Please she should do us the honour and sustain her breath till the time when the poor man she is fighting for will take his fight up by himself. Then he will show who his real enemies are by spilling their blood.

Please, madam Oteh, don't die just yet.

let see what happens next uh?? let see what happens next uh??

Abegi, shey na free she dey do d director general, why she no go die for d post?

y reiterate d obvious?weda ready or not DEATH will surely come #GBAM

onto d next one...