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Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by LocalChamp: 10:33pm On Dec 07, 2012
Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense*
Posted: December 6, 2012 - 23:18


Columnist: Sonala Olumhense
There is a growing clamor for the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, and the Minister responsible for the Niger Delta, Mr. Godspower Orubebe, to resign their appointment, or for President Goodluck Jonathan to kick them out.

Every Nigerian knows they will not resign. But will Jonathan fire them?

Here is a part of the story:

Mr. Wogu chairs the White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Task Force (otherwise known as the Nuhu Ribadu Committee).

In the days before he received this whitewashing appointment, it turned out that, as part of the ongoing buccaneering in the oil sector, the government had lost N2.7 billion to a company called Pinnacle Contractors.

But none of the fuel for which it was paid twice was ever delivered, and the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance , Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced Pinnacle to be one of the companies that had not only defrauded Nigeria, but also simply disappeared along with the loot. Like a thief in the night.

Pinnacle Contractors was so good at what it did (or did not do) that it could not even be found in the database of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

A true thief in the night: converting daylight into an ally. Abracadabra!

And then, mysteriously on November 30, just one week ago, Pinnacle Contractors suddenly appeared in the books of the CAC.

And then, just when you were about to say you had seen it all, it turns out that Pinnacle Contractors belongs to Mr. Wogu and his family. This, remember, is the same man Jonathan has charged with reviewing the contentious work of the Ribadu Committee on the oil sector.

Demonstrating equal abracadabra dimensions is the story of Elder Godspower Orubebe, the powerful Minister of the Niger Delta who is so close to the president they might as well be brothers.

Suddenly, Mr. Orubebe is being probed by the House of Representatives.

How? Mr. Orubebe, famous for trying to bribe visiting representatives of the Save Nigeria Group at Aso Rock two years ago, currently resides in an opulent mansion in the Mabushi District of Abuja, a gift he allegedly received from the construction company, Setraco. The spread in Mabushi is said to be a billionaire’s paradise: not because Mr. Orubebe spent a billion on it but because it was allegedly built for him for billions.

Critics, notably in the House, say he did not even declare the property with the Code of Conduct Bureau. Those critics are somewhat unkind: what if the Minister is unsatisfied with the quality of the shopping malls or the soccer pitches? Perhaps he should not declare it as an asset before it has met his discriminating tastes?

Orubebe, anyhow, is alleged to have been taking advantage of his office to collect similar gifts. Representative Odeneye Kehinde, who sponsored the motion in the House, said among others, “The minister’s financial escapades and liaisons are in Dubai and other corruption shelters overseas.”
He also said Orubebe has “paid for so many phantom projects.”

In response, Mr. Orubebe dismissed the allegations as the work of his detractors and mischief-makers and extortionists. It is remarkable how the rich and the powerful always seem to attract to themselves and their exploits such undesirables…jealous people who cannot invent a Setraco of their own?

Seriously speaking, these are bizarre, shameful stories. Were we Ghana or South Africa, or even Niger Republic, I would have agreed with those who say it is in the interest of Mr. Jonathan’s “offensive” against corruption to move the two men sideways until they have cleaned up their records. After all, only the United States fights corruption with more solid uppercuts than Mr. Jonathan’s government, as Mr. Jonathan himself has said.

But it is Nigeria, and it is too much to expect that the government would be embarrassed or concerned by matters as minor as these. Wogu is dealing with allegations relating to a miserly N2.7 billion, and Orubebe with a mansion said to be just “billions.”

These are infinitesimal amounts of money. These are amounts that are far too small to attract the attention or respect of Mr. Jonathan.
As usual, therefore, he should simply ignore these petty issues and keep his cabinet as it is.

There are several reasons for this. By refusing to listen to the public, Mr. Jonathan will once again demonstrate that he is his own man, and not accountable to anybody. That is the stuff of which powerful men are made. An approach of this nature will enable him to focus on the most important element: winning the 2015 re-election race.

Second, at least one of the two men is a personal friend of Mr. Jonathans. No friend of Nigeria’s most powerful man is ever corrupt, for that would suggest that he eats and drinks with corrupt people and is himself corrupt. Mr. Jonathan should simply tell his hecklers, “I don’t give damn!”
But the most important reason why Mr. Jonathan should ignore these complaints is obvious: how can he fire these two men and let others in his cabinet be?

Remember: several have been accused of various acts of corruption, and Mr. Jonathan looked in his pockets, like a man searching for coins, and simply did not find a damn to give.

They said Diezani Alison Madueke, Her Excellency the Minister of Petroleum Resources, was corrupt. Several reports have made a variety of allegations in that regard in the past few years. One of them, 234NEXT newspaper—God rest its soul—did an elaborate, intensive investigation that was so compelling its reporters and editors won at least one international award.

The President rummaged in his pockets, and again, did not find a dime—I mean, damn. The matter died, especially when that pesky NEXT newspaper died. Hallelujah!

Other reports also said that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, was corrupt. They alleged that he illegally authorised the transfer of N165 billion federal funds into another one that was being controlled by a felon. They were funds originally paid by to the government for the famous oil block OPL 245. The matter will die.

Earlier in January, Adoke, according to a website which claimed to have dug hard and deep, was also found to be the owner of multi-million dollars in secret bank accounts. And the site published details.

The Minister acknowledged he owned those accounts, but said he owned no such funds.

He may have been telling the truth, but the word will never know because as is his custom, President Jonathan did not give a damn, and he allowed Mr. Adoke to carry on.

This is the background. That history of not giving a damn is yielding us a deteriorating international image—whoever knew that was possible—in the hands of this government.

That is why, in Mr. Jonathan’s own eyes, he has a harmonious, productive cabinet. They are a good team. When they look across the table at each other during each Wednesday’s contract-awarding ritual, each person knows that he or she is part of a story that is funnier than anything in Nollywood. All they have to do is stick together, and like a good soccer team, attack and defend for each other.

They have as a leader a man who tells the time by how much of a damn he does not give: a man who combats corruption with conversation, knowing that when he looks down the table, he will see the tragic figures of Labaran Maku and Allison-Madueke.

In a moment, one will step outside that door and tell Nigerians to shut up, stop complaining and take their medicine like strong citizens. The other will blame the country’s terrible image on the media and the people for their loudmouths.
No, Mr. Jonathan, you do not need to fire any Ministers, because there may not be many left standing. Let your philosophy remain that there is neither corruption nor integrity. That is how the Americans do it, right?

And some Ministers are right in one thing: Unless Nigerians wasn’t to bring some heat, they should simply shut up. They know exactly how we got here.

*sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/column/jonathan-combating-corruption-conversation-sonala-olumhense

8 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by papadenzel(m): 10:49pm On Dec 07, 2012
D very funny thing about this government that does not give a damn is that it was very quick to show Barth Nnaji the way out. A minister that even a blind man could testify was making steady progress. GEJ is definitely destroying our country for us.

7 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by takedat(m): 11:20pm On Dec 07, 2012
Height of irresponsible political leadership.
A government immersed in corruption
and peopled by treasury looters!

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by Gbawe: 8:24am On Dec 08, 2012
Ride on Ali Baba (GEJ) and the 40 thieves (his Ministers). Na una time. So loot as much and as unconscionably as you want. What a Nation !!!

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by omarky(m): 8:33am On Dec 08, 2012
papadenzel: D very funny thing about this government that does not give a damn is that it was very quick to show Barth Nnaji the way out. A minister that even a blind man could testify was making steady progress. GEJ is definitely destroying our country for us.


I quite agree with you. SMH for this country
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by Clemzy16(m): 8:34am On Dec 08, 2012
How do you expect corruption to combact corruption?! If you doubt me, ask EFCC.

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by Nobody: 8:39am On Dec 08, 2012
na wen he aluu all of dem una go know say he dey work
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by sayemma: 8:52am On Dec 08, 2012
"If corrections lies in the hands that commit the wrong to whom shall we complaints."

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by Standing5(m): 8:54am On Dec 08, 2012
The sack of Barth Nnaji, unlike Okupe, Orubebe, DAM, and co. will not unsettle Gej relationship with 'awon boys'.
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by burkutu: 8:56am On Dec 08, 2012
Who will be the first amongst the "i -dont-give-a-damn-disciples" to remind us that saharareporters isnt a credible news medium unlike nta becos they dont report good news like gej commissioning a borehole......

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by Maxymilliano(m): 9:01am On Dec 08, 2012
Here we go again... Another piece of deodorized dog shi.tt
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by shineeye1: 9:05am On Dec 08, 2012
Many of us are in such a position to love Jonathan dearly. Unfortunately, the man is giving us no basis to do so! Jonathan's regime is void of the necessary bite to put corruption in check in Nigeria. Yet, the effective and vibrant check on corruption holds the key to Nigeria's advancement. Many have since concluded that Jonathan, being a veritable delivery of a corrupt system-the PDP, it is unreasonable to expect sanctity from him. Can an evil tree deliver good fruits they argue. Jonathan evidently lacks bite- there is no contention on that ground. With the level of endemic decay in Nigeria, you expect any promising crusade to demonstrate vivid vibrancy against corruption. This does not seem to be Jonathan's calling. The world is waiting for the common Nigerian to rise to claim their rights. Change can evidently not come from the corrupt top. Only the midst, the bottom and the common hold the hope for a new Nigeria.

3 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by monex(m): 9:19am On Dec 08, 2012
what is jonathan
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by shineeye1: 9:19am On Dec 08, 2012
I was only a young boy when he took the reins of government. Like a comet he blazed the path of history with focus and passion. His name is MURTALA MOHAMMED. This man was a vibrant man of the moment. He provided the bite to effectively check CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA. From far away Lagos , the corrupt trembled at the corners of the nation. Nigeria needs such a man today. A man who will wade in and tackle corruption to a standstill. This is attainable even in a democracy , with focus and passion and the will to selflessly offer all. Is Jonathan such a man?

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by ypzilanti: 9:27am On Dec 08, 2012
Make sure this guy does not return in 2015. There is such a thing as voting against a candidate. sincerely wish Oshiomole would contest next election. He can win southwest, middle belt, and even Niger Delta.

4 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by afrikanns: 9:48am On Dec 08, 2012
ypzilanti: Make sure this guy does not return in 2015. There is such a thing as voting against a candidate. sincerely wish Oshiomole would contest next election. He can win southwest, middle belt, and even Niger Delta.


The Jonah must be president was by the Christians; glory be to God Jonah be, now Jonah seems to have fallen enough hands joined with disappointment and below expectation performance; Jonah seems now to have forgotten to be the present president; the now issue on the mind of Jonah seems to be issue of Jonah for 2015. Naija don't warry 2015 under Jonah shall be well. This whole 1st term is to strategise the whole of Jonah 2nd term will be an actioned packed service.

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by adewaleafolabi(m): 9:51am On Dec 08, 2012
Hmm Nigerians what will you do by 2015? Vote for Jonathan of course. Don't worry you'll get your 2,000 and ankara. So you can dance all around.
LOST CAUSE

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by HAH: 9:56am On Dec 08, 2012
where are the dogs attacking Saharareporters? or are you on strike for unpaid work or the evidence against your master is so enormous that you cannot defend him. Carry on my people we are on the right course surely one day we will reach the promise land after flushing out this corrupt element in governance.

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by ochukoccna: 9:59am On Dec 08, 2012
You might call Tunde Bakare names but he was spot on regarding saying that the destiny of Ebele is to bankrupt Nigeria.
Do we expect anything better from a man who gave $50,000 'transportation money' to SNG when he was scrambling left, right and centre in his quest to be 'elected' into Aso Rock? embarassed embarassed

2 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by 1025: 10:04am On Dec 08, 2012
this is exactly where the god of nigeria(obasanjo) wants us to be.
can obasanjo stay aware for once and allow nigerians to choose their next leader/ruler?
pdp, jonathan, obasanjo and everything and person related to them are just corrupt and there is nothing we can do about it as long as we are afraid to die.
our duty here does not end in removing them from govt rather we have to move further to make sure they die alongside the families.
these men are evil and no good thing comes from evil without a hidden price tag.

2 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by afrikanns: 10:08am On Dec 08, 2012
I sincerely experienced most retrogressive governance since I have known what governments seem to represent, the look am observing on the faces of masses everyday seem to be scary, tough everybody seems to be looking for economy way out by all means,either thru rituals,unlawful deals, sex work, 419s and so on and on. Sometimes ago the president requested for increment in the feeding allocation to the Aso Rock that the billions of naira was not eenough for a year; what a country
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by BetaThings: 10:14am On Dec 08, 2012
ypzilanti: Make sure this guy does not return in 2015. There is such a thing as voting against a candidate. sincerely wish Oshiomole would contest next election. He can win southwest, middle belt, and even Niger Delta.
Supported
Much supported
Look at this https://www.nairaland.com/1126289/oshiomole-responds-sanusis-call-fire#13293227

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKFnDS--WiQ
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by afrikanns: 10:20am On Dec 08, 2012
monex: what is jonathan


Jonathan to simply put was a guy b4 got elected had no shoe to wear to school,he had torn clothe all over his body.in a nutshell a wretched human, pauper . As destiny will come to pass, fortunately and unfortunately Jonah became the Naija president, and speedily forgot his past. what a country!

1 Like

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by Henritwist(m): 10:27am On Dec 08, 2012
LocalChamp: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense*
Posted: December 6, 2012 - 23:18


Columnist: Sonala Olumhense
There is a growing clamor for the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, and the Minister responsible for the Niger Delta, Mr. Godspower Orubebe, to resign their appointment, or for President Goodluck Jonathan to kick them out.

Every Nigerian knows they will not resign. But will Jonathan fire them?

Here is a part of the story:

Mr. Wogu chairs the White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Task Force (otherwise known as the Nuhu Ribadu Committee).

In the days before he received this whitewashing appointment, it turned out that, as part of the ongoing buccaneering in the oil sector, the government had lost N2.7 billion to a company called Pinnacle Contractors.

But none of the fuel for which it was paid twice was ever delivered, and the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance , Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced Pinnacle to be one of the companies that had not only defrauded Nigeria, but also simply disappeared along with the loot. Like a thief in the night.

Pinnacle Contractors was so good at what it did (or did not do) that it could not even be found in the database of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

A true thief in the night: converting daylight into an ally. Abracadabra!

And then, mysteriously on November 30, just one week ago, Pinnacle Contractors suddenly appeared in the books of the CAC.

And then, just when you were about to say you had seen it all, it turns out that Pinnacle Contractors belongs to Mr. Wogu and his family. This, remember, is the same man Jonathan has charged with reviewing the contentious work of the Ribadu Committee on the oil sector.

Demonstrating equal abracadabra dimensions is the story of Elder Godspower Orubebe, the powerful Minister of the Niger Delta who is so close to the president they might as well be brothers.

Suddenly, Mr. Orubebe is being probed by the House of Representatives.

How? Mr. Orubebe, famous for trying to bribe visiting representatives of the Save Nigeria Group at Aso Rock two years ago, currently resides in an opulent mansion in the Mabushi District of Abuja, a gift he allegedly received from the construction company, Setraco. The spread in Mabushi is said to be a billionaire’s paradise: not because Mr. Orubebe spent a billion on it but because it was allegedly built for him for billions.

Critics, notably in the House, say he did not even declare the property with the Code of Conduct Bureau. Those critics are somewhat unkind: what if the Minister is unsatisfied with the quality of the shopping malls or the soccer pitches? Perhaps he should not declare it as an asset before it has met his discriminating tastes?

Orubebe, anyhow, is alleged to have been taking advantage of his office to collect similar gifts. Representative Odeneye Kehinde, who sponsored the motion in the House, said among others, “The minister’s financial escapades and liaisons are in Dubai and other corruption shelters overseas.”
He also said Orubebe has “paid for so many phantom projects.”

In response, Mr. Orubebe dismissed the allegations as the work of his detractors and mischief-makers and extortionists. It is remarkable how the rich and the powerful always seem to attract to themselves and their exploits such undesirables…jealous people who cannot invent a Setraco of their own?

Seriously speaking, these are bizarre, shameful stories. Were we Ghana or South Africa, or even Niger Republic, I would have agreed with those who say it is in the interest of Mr. Jonathan’s “offensive” against corruption to move the two men sideways until they have cleaned up their records. After all, only the United States fights corruption with more solid uppercuts than Mr. Jonathan’s government, as Mr. Jonathan himself has said.

But it is Nigeria, and it is too much to expect that the government would be embarrassed or concerned by matters as minor as these. Wogu is dealing with allegations relating to a miserly N2.7 billion, and Orubebe with a mansion said to be just “billions.”

These are infinitesimal amounts of money. These are amounts that are far too small to attract the attention or respect of Mr. Jonathan.
As usual, therefore, he should simply ignore these petty issues and keep his cabinet as it is.

There are several reasons for this. By refusing to listen to the public, Mr. Jonathan will once again demonstrate that he is his own man, and not accountable to anybody. That is the stuff of which powerful men are made. An approach of this nature will enable him to focus on the most important element: winning the 2015 re-election race.

Second, at least one of the two men is a personal friend of Mr. Jonathans. No friend of Nigeria’s most powerful man is ever corrupt, for that would suggest that he eats and drinks with corrupt people and is himself corrupt. Mr. Jonathan should simply tell his hecklers, “I don’t give damn!”
But the most important reason why Mr. Jonathan should ignore these complaints is obvious: how can he fire these two men and let others in his cabinet be?

Remember: several have been accused of various acts of corruption, and Mr. Jonathan looked in his pockets, like a man searching for coins, and simply did not find a damn to give.

They said Diezani Alison Madueke, Her Excellency the Minister of Petroleum Resources, was corrupt. Several reports have made a variety of allegations in that regard in the past few years. One of them, 234NEXT newspaper—God rest its soul—did an elaborate, intensive investigation that was so compelling its reporters and editors won at least one international award.

The President rummaged in his pockets, and again, did not find a dime—I mean, damn. The matter died, especially when that pesky NEXT newspaper died. Hallelujah!

Other reports also said that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, was corrupt. They alleged that he illegally authorised the transfer of N165 billion federal funds into another one that was being controlled by a felon. They were funds originally paid by to the government for the famous oil block OPL 245. The matter will die.

Earlier in January, Adoke, according to a website which claimed to have dug hard and deep, was also found to be the owner of multi-million dollars in secret bank accounts. And the site published details.

The Minister acknowledged he owned those accounts, but said he owned no such funds.

He may have been telling the truth, but the word will never know because as is his custom, President Jonathan did not give a damn, and he allowed Mr. Adoke to carry on.

This is the background. That history of not giving a damn is yielding us a deteriorating international image—whoever knew that was possible—in the hands of this government.

That is why, in Mr. Jonathan’s own eyes, he has a harmonious, productive cabinet. They are a good team. When they look across the table at each other during each Wednesday’s contract-awarding ritual, each person knows that he or she is part of a story that is funnier than anything in Nollywood. All they have to do is stick together, and like a good soccer team, attack and defend for each other.

They have as a leader a man who tells the time by how much of a damn he does not give: a man who combats corruption with conversation, knowing that when he looks down the table, he will see the tragic figures of Labaran Maku and Allison-Madueke.

In a moment, one will step outside that door and tell Nigerians to shut up, stop complaining and take their medicine like strong citizens. The other will blame the country’s terrible image on the media and the people for their loudmouths.
No, Mr. Jonathan, you do not need to fire any Ministers, because there may not be many left standing. Let your philosophy remain that there is neither corruption nor integrity. That is how the Americans do it, right?

And some Ministers are right in one thing: Unless Nigerians wasn’t to bring some heat, they should simply shut up. They know exactly how we got here.

*sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/column/jonathan-combating-corruption-conversation-sonala-olumhense
LocalChamp: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense*
Posted: December 6, 2012 - 23:18


Columnist: Sonala Olumhense
There is a growing clamor for the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, and the Minister responsible for the Niger Delta, Mr. Godspower Orubebe, to resign their appointment, or for President Goodluck Jonathan to kick them out.

Every Nigerian knows they will not resign. But will Jonathan fire them?

Here is a part of the story:

Mr. Wogu chairs the White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Task Force (otherwise known as the Nuhu Ribadu Committee).

In the days before he received this whitewashing appointment, it turned out that, as part of the ongoing buccaneering in the oil sector, the government had lost N2.7 billion to a company called Pinnacle Contractors.

But none of the fuel for which it was paid twice was ever delivered, and the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance , Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced Pinnacle to be one of the companies that had not only defrauded Nigeria, but also simply disappeared along with the loot. Like a thief in the night.

Pinnacle Contractors was so good at what it did (or did not do) that it could not even be found in the database of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

A true thief in the night: converting daylight into an ally. Abracadabra!

And then, mysteriously on November 30, just one week ago, Pinnacle Contractors suddenly appeared in the books of the CAC.

And then, just when you were about to say you had seen it all, it turns out that Pinnacle Contractors belongs to Mr. Wogu and his family. This, remember, is the same man Jonathan has charged with reviewing the contentious work of the Ribadu Committee on the oil sector.

Demonstrating equal abracadabra dimensions is the story of Elder Godspower Orubebe, the powerful Minister of the Niger Delta who is so close to the president they might as well be brothers.

Suddenly, Mr. Orubebe is being probed by the House of Representatives.

How? Mr. Orubebe, famous for trying to bribe visiting representatives of the Save Nigeria Group at Aso Rock two years ago, currently resides in an opulent mansion in the Mabushi District of Abuja, a gift he allegedly received from the construction company, Setraco. The spread in Mabushi is said to be a billionaire’s paradise: not because Mr. Orubebe spent a billion on it but because it was allegedly built for him for billions.

Critics, notably in the House, say he did not even declare the property with the Code of Conduct Bureau. Those critics are somewhat unkind: what if the Minister is unsatisfied with the quality of the shopping malls or the soccer pitches? Perhaps he should not declare it as an asset before it has met his discriminating tastes?

Orubebe, anyhow, is alleged to have been taking advantage of his office to collect similar gifts. Representative Odeneye Kehinde, who sponsored the motion in the House, said among others, “The minister’s financial escapades and liaisons are in Dubai and other corruption shelters overseas.”
He also said Orubebe has “paid for so many phantom projects.”

In response, Mr. Orubebe dismissed the allegations as the work of his detractors and mischief-makers and extortionists. It is remarkable how the rich and the powerful always seem to attract to themselves and their exploits such undesirables…jealous people who cannot invent a Setraco of their own?

Seriously speaking, these are bizarre, shameful stories. Were we Ghana or South Africa, or even Niger Republic, I would have agreed with those who say it is in the interest of Mr. Jonathan’s “offensive” against corruption to move the two men sideways until they have cleaned up their records. After all, only the United States fights corruption with more solid uppercuts than Mr. Jonathan’s government, as Mr. Jonathan himself has said.

But it is Nigeria, and it is too much to expect that the government would be embarrassed or concerned by matters as minor as these. Wogu is dealing with allegations relating to a miserly N2.7 billion, and Orubebe with a mansion said to be just “billions.”

These are infinitesimal amounts of money. These are amounts that are far too small to attract the attention or respect of Mr. Jonathan.
As usual, therefore, he should simply ignore these petty issues and keep his cabinet as it is.

There are several reasons for this. By refusing to listen to the public, Mr. Jonathan will once again demonstrate that he is his own man, and not accountable to anybody. That is the stuff of which powerful men are made. An approach of this nature will enable him to focus on the most important element: winning the 2015 re-election race.

Second, at least one of the two men is a personal friend of Mr. Jonathans. No friend of Nigeria’s most powerful man is ever corrupt, for that would suggest that he eats and drinks with corrupt people and is himself corrupt. Mr. Jonathan should simply tell his hecklers, “I don’t give damn!”
But the most important reason why Mr. Jonathan should ignore these complaints is obvious: how can he fire these two men and let others in his cabinet be?

Remember: several have been accused of various acts of corruption, and Mr. Jonathan looked in his pockets, like a man searching for coins, and simply did not find a damn to give.

They said Diezani Alison Madueke, Her Excellency the Minister of Petroleum Resources, was corrupt. Several reports have made a variety of allegations in that regard in the past few years. One of them, 234NEXT newspaper—God rest its soul—did an elaborate, intensive investigation that was so compelling its reporters and editors won at least one international award.

The President rummaged in his pockets, and again, did not find a dime—I mean, damn. The matter died, especially when that pesky NEXT newspaper died. Hallelujah!

Other reports also said that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, was corrupt. They alleged that he illegally authorised the transfer of N165 billion federal funds into another one that was being controlled by a felon. They were funds originally paid by to the government for the famous oil block OPL 245. The matter will die.

Earlier in January, Adoke, according to a website which claimed to have dug hard and deep, was also found to be the owner of multi-million dollars in secret bank accounts. And the site published details.

The Minister acknowledged he owned those accounts, but said he owned no such funds.

He may have been telling the truth, but the word will never know because as is his custom, President Jonathan did not give a damn, and he allowed Mr. Adoke to carry on.

This is the background. That history of not giving a damn is yielding us a deteriorating international image—whoever knew that was possible—in the hands of this government.

That is why, in Mr. Jonathan’s own eyes, he has a harmonious, productive cabinet. They are a good team. When they look across the table at each other during each Wednesday’s contract-awarding ritual, each person knows that he or she is part of a story that is funnier than anything in Nollywood. All they have to do is stick together, and like a good soccer team, attack and defend for each other.

They have as a leader a man who tells the time by how much of a damn he does not give: a man who combats corruption with conversation, knowing that when he looks down the table, he will see the tragic figures of Labaran Maku and Allison-Madueke.

In a moment, one will step outside that door and tell Nigerians to shut up, stop complaining and take their medicine like strong citizens. The other will blame the country’s terrible image on the media and the people for their loudmouths.
No, Mr. Jonathan, you do not need to fire any Ministers, because there may not be many left standing. Let your philosophy remain that there is neither corruption nor integrity. That is how the Americans do it, right?

And some Ministers are right in one thing: Unless Nigerians wasn’t to bring some heat, they should simply shut up. They know exactly how we got here.

*sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/column/jonathan-combating-corruption-conversation-sonala-olumhense
LocalChamp: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense*
Posted: December 6, 2012 - 23:18


Columnist: Sonala Olumhense
There is a growing clamor for the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, and the Minister responsible for the Niger Delta, Mr. Godspower Orubebe, to resign their appointment, or for President Goodluck Jonathan to kick them out.

Every Nigerian knows they will not resign. But will Jonathan fire them?

Here is a part of the story:

Mr. Wogu chairs the White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Task Force (otherwise known as the Nuhu Ribadu Committee).

In the days before he received this whitewashing appointment, it turned out that, as part of the ongoing buccaneering in the oil sector, the government had lost N2.7 billion to a company called Pinnacle Contractors.

But none of the fuel for which it was paid twice was ever delivered, and the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance , Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced Pinnacle to be one of the companies that had not only defrauded Nigeria, but also simply disappeared along with the loot. Like a thief in the night.

Pinnacle Contractors was so good at what it did (or did not do) that it could not even be found in the database of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

A true thief in the night: converting daylight into an ally. Abracadabra!

And then, mysteriously on November 30, just one week ago, Pinnacle Contractors suddenly appeared in the books of the CAC.

And then, just when you were about to say you had seen it all, it turns out that Pinnacle Contractors belongs to Mr. Wogu and his family. This, remember, is the same man Jonathan has charged with reviewing the contentious work of the Ribadu Committee on the oil sector.

Demonstrating equal abracadabra dimensions is the story of Elder Godspower Orubebe, the powerful Minister of the Niger Delta who is so close to the president they might as well be brothers.

Suddenly, Mr. Orubebe is being probed by the House of Representatives.

How? Mr. Orubebe, famous for trying to bribe visiting representatives of the Save Nigeria Group at Aso Rock two years ago, currently resides in an opulent mansion in the Mabushi District of Abuja, a gift he allegedly received from the construction company, Setraco. The spread in Mabushi is said to be a billionaire’s paradise: not because Mr. Orubebe spent a billion on it but because it was allegedly built for him for billions.

Critics, notably in the House, say he did not even declare the property with the Code of Conduct Bureau. Those critics are somewhat unkind: what if the Minister is unsatisfied with the quality of the shopping malls or the soccer pitches? Perhaps he should not declare it as an asset before it has met his discriminating tastes?

Orubebe, anyhow, is alleged to have been taking advantage of his office to collect similar gifts. Representative Odeneye Kehinde, who sponsored the motion in the House, said among others, “The minister’s financial escapades and liaisons are in Dubai and other corruption shelters overseas.”
He also said Orubebe has “paid for so many phantom projects.”

In response, Mr. Orubebe dismissed the allegations as the work of his detractors and mischief-makers and extortionists. It is remarkable how the rich and the powerful always seem to attract to themselves and their exploits such undesirables…jealous people who cannot invent a Setraco of their own?

Seriously speaking, these are bizarre, shameful stories. Were we Ghana or South Africa, or even Niger Republic, I would have agreed with those who say it is in the interest of Mr. Jonathan’s “offensive” against corruption to move the two men sideways until they have cleaned up their records. After all, only the United States fights corruption with more solid uppercuts than Mr. Jonathan’s government, as Mr. Jonathan himself has said.

But it is Nigeria, and it is too much to expect that the government would be embarrassed or concerned by matters as minor as these. Wogu is dealing with allegations relating to a miserly N2.7 billion, and Orubebe with a mansion said to be just “billions.”

These are infinitesimal amounts of money. These are amounts that are far too small to attract the attention or respect of Mr. Jonathan.
As usual, therefore, he should simply ignore these petty issues and keep his cabinet as it is.

There are several reasons for this. By refusing to listen to the public, Mr. Jonathan will once again demonstrate that he is his own man, and not accountable to anybody. That is the stuff of which powerful men are made. An approach of this nature will enable him to focus on the most important element: winning the 2015 re-election race.

Second, at least one of the two men is a personal friend of Mr. Jonathans. No friend of Nigeria’s most powerful man is ever corrupt, for that would suggest that he eats and drinks with corrupt people and is himself corrupt. Mr. Jonathan should simply tell his hecklers, “I don’t give damn!”
But the most important reason why Mr. Jonathan should ignore these complaints is obvious: how can he fire these two men and let others in his cabinet be?

Remember: several have been accused of various acts of corruption, and Mr. Jonathan looked in his pockets, like a man searching for coins, and simply did not find a damn to give.

They said Diezani Alison Madueke, Her Excellency the Minister of Petroleum Resources, was corrupt. Several reports have made a variety of allegations in that regard in the past few years. One of them, 234NEXT newspaper—God rest its soul—did an elaborate, intensive investigation that was so compelling its reporters and editors won at least one international award.

The President rummaged in his pockets, and again, did not find a dime—I mean, damn. The matter died, especially when that pesky NEXT newspaper died. Hallelujah!

Other reports also said that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, was corrupt. They alleged that he illegally authorised the transfer of N165 billion federal funds into another one that was being controlled by a felon. They were funds originally paid by to the government for the famous oil block OPL 245. The matter will die.

Earlier in January, Adoke, according to a website which claimed to have dug hard and deep, was also found to be the owner of multi-million dollars in secret bank accounts. And the site published details.

The Minister acknowledged he owned those accounts, but said he owned no such funds.

He may have been telling the truth, but the word will never know because as is his custom, President Jonathan did not give a damn, and he allowed Mr. Adoke to carry on.

This is the background. That history of not giving a damn is yielding us a deteriorating international image—whoever knew that was possible—in the hands of this government.

That is why, in Mr. Jonathan’s own eyes, he has a harmonious, productive cabinet. They are a good team. When they look across the table at each other during each Wednesday’s contract-awarding ritual, each person knows that he or she is part of a story that is funnier than anything in Nollywood. All they have to do is stick together, and like a good soccer team, attack and defend for each other.

They have as a leader a man who tells the time by how much of a damn he does not give: a man who combats corruption with conversation, knowing that when he looks down the table, he will see the tragic figures of Labaran Maku and Allison-Madueke.

In a moment, one will step outside that door and tell Nigerians to shut up, stop complaining and take their medicine like strong citizens. The other will blame the country’s terrible image on the media and the people for their loudmouths.
No, Mr. Jonathan, you do not need to fire any Ministers, because there may not be many left standing. Let your philosophy remain that there is neither corruption nor integrity. That is how the Americans do it, right?

And some Ministers are right in one thing: Unless Nigerians wasn’t to bring some heat, they should simply shut up. They know exactly how we got here.

*sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/column/jonathan-combating-corruption-conversation-sonala-olumhense
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by honeric01(m): 10:34am On Dec 08, 2012
See what sentimental voting has caused the whole country? angry angry angry angry angry angry

2 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by honeric01(m): 10:37am On Dec 08, 2012
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1025: this is exactly where the god of nigeria(obasanjo) wants us to be.
can obasanjo stay aware for once and allow nigerians to choose their next leader/ruler?
pdp, jonathan, obasanjo and everything and person related to them are just corrupt and there is nothing we can do about it as long as we are afraid to die.
our duty here does not end in removing them from govt rather we have to move further to make sure they die alongside the families.
these men are evil and no good thing comes from evil without a hidden price tag.
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Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by FindOut(m): 10:47am On Dec 08, 2012
Who were the main contenders during last year's election?

Ok, i remember, Nuhu Ribadu & Muhammadu Buhari. Would such atrocities listed above have happened under their watch & they'll still sit with d same people at the FEC? Hell No. Yet, people voted for Goodluck. Its almost year end, most of the funds for the 2012 budget HAVE NOT been released. The little released hasn't been properly accounted for. Why? Is there no money? No. There is money, but Jonathan and his cronies are eating it up WOLFISHLY. I'm fairly certain that MOST of Jonathan's ministers are as guilty of corrupt practices as Orubebe, Adoke, Madueke, Oduah Ogiemwonyi and the rest. Do you know why they'll continue? They'll continue because GEJ is too POWERLESS and SPINELESS to stop them.

Now, did we see indications of these before the elections? Did we see indications that Goodluck was going to be a weak and corrupt leader? Did we see indications that this man has no honour? Did we see signs that this man will not be able to put up tangible achievements? Of course we saw all these things. But we chose to be Fo..olish, we chose to be si...ll.y, we chose to mortgage our's and children's future simply because we did not want a northerner to be president. We forgot that we are all humans, we forgot that the north whom we blamed for our woes has produced one of the best leaders since 1960 in person of Murtala Muhammad, we forgot that several southerners, igbo, yoruba, ijaw also played principal roles in milking Nigeria dry. We chose to be sentimental, & just exactly how has it paid off?

Buhari saw these signs and shed tears for Nigeria, Tunde Bakare looked at the way things are going and said GEJ's destiny was to bankrupt Nigeria. Is Jonathan now not fighting to fulfil that destiny? Yet, some fo.ols will come and campaig.n for him in 2015.


GEJ is taking corruption and cluelessness to greater heights in Nigeria. May God preserve our souls till 2015, and if the current trend of Governance continues, then whosoever dares campaign for Goodluck in 2015 should know that he/she is an enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians, and our enemies will fail. They will be alive to see Nigeria grow and develop like it should in the hands of a competent leader. Amen.

The same way we are blaming Ojukwu, Awolowo & co for the biafra war today, the same way we are blaming IBB & for some people, Bashorun Abiola (RIP) for truncating the Buhari/Idiagbon regime, be prepared to answer questions from your intelligent children who will read history and ask you why you opened your two eyes and voted the worst president ever by name Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into power, when you had more qualified options.

The most common mantra used then was ''we are voting Goodluck nt PDP''. That statement sounded sensible to the Pro GEJ then. Now I ask, don't you consider yourself a fo.ol for believing in such? *as if his ministers would be imported from ANPP & Fresh Democratic party*

The PDP and their bootlickers will come up in 2015 with new tactics and strategies (their violence is turning out to backfire on them) and more silly catch phrases in an attempt to make you settle for a bicycle when you have a jet beside you. If you like, allow them to play on your intelligence again. You'll come back to complain. In fact, IT WONT WORK.

But for now, we just have to enjoy the fressh air & pay the price for 22 million people's deliberate failure to make proper use of the common sense given freely to them by God.

7 Likes

Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by patrickmuf(m): 10:58am On Dec 08, 2012
One day, the masses will rise and take over what belongs to us all...
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by shineeye1: 11:11am On Dec 08, 2012
Even if Jonathan is to provide electricity for all 24/7 by 2015(which he evidently cannot achieve under the corrupt circumstances abounding), he must be chased out of Aso Rock- for the sake of the Nigerian hope! Only Buhari has the semblance of competence needed to address the rot and decay in Nigeria today. I know his party or whichever party in Nigeria is full of crooks and rogues but he is likely to put them in line! CORRUPTION IS OUR BANE. A CORRUPTION KILLER IS WHO WE NEED. JONATHAN IS NOT THAT PERSON.
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by drnoel: 12:00pm On Dec 08, 2012
papadenzel: D very funny thing about this government that does not give a damn is that it was very quick to show Barth Nnaji the way out. A minister that even a blind man could testify was making steady progress. GEJ is definitely destroying our country for us.
On the contrary. Bart honourably showed himself out, as should be the case. There is no honour in staying on sit, when there is evidence u stole. It is only in Nigeria that the reverse is the case
Re: Jonathan: Combating Corruption By Conversation By Sonala Olumhense by ujchief(m): 12:00pm On Dec 08, 2012
Fresh air everywhere! Like i said b4, watch out for 2015 and see how chukwemeka wogu will clinch the pdp ticket for Abia state gubernetorial election, after all, he will be anointed by Gej, same way he anointed and impossed the dimwit T.a orji on the state.
The bane of democracy!

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