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Okonjo-Iweala: My mother was kidnapped because I told Jonathan to remove fuel subsidy

Okonjo-Iweala: My mother was kidnapped because I told Jonathan to remove fuel subsidy
April 06
19:30 2016

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance, says her 83-year-old mother was kidnapped because she advised Goodluck Jonathan, former president, to remove fuel subsidy.

In an interview with Le Monde, the 61-year-old economist said the fight against corruption was at the root of the kidnap, with the abductors demanding her resignation on live television.

When asked what her failures and successes in the fight against corruption were, Okonjo-Iweala said: “Your answer would take a whole day.

“On my first experience as minister, I wrote a book, Reforming the unreformable (ed. The MIT Press, 2012). For the second, it was really difficult. Nigeria subsidizes fuel. About $ 6.7 billion that it costs, we found that 1.5 billion was fraudulent.

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“One importer claimed that his boat was waging its oil while at the other end of the world, according to maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register Marine.

“I told the president that we would stop paying. What happened? They kidnapped my mother, 83 years. During the first three days, their only demand was my resignation. I was supposed to go on television and announce my resignation.

“This was one of the worst moments of my life. Can you imagine what happens in your head if you have to be responsible for the death of your mother?

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“I will not go into details, but you must understand that in a country like this… in the fight against corruption, we must be prepared to pay a personal price. My father asked me not to resign. The president asked me not to resign. At the end, everyone began looking for her, and the kidnappers released [her].”

GOVERNORS DID NOT ALLLOW JONATHAN SAVE

Speaking to dwindling oil prices, Okonjo-Iweala said state governors did not allow Jonathan save for the rainy day, yet they are the ones complaining today.

“Some economists are very concerned for Nigeria, which could greatly suffer from the fall in oil prices. Others say the contrary, that its economy is strong enough to turn the corner.

“Both are right. But one thing saddens me. When I was finance minister the first time, the volatility of oil prices, and therefore state resources, cost at least three points of growth in the country.

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“We then established a stabilization mechanism and opened an account for the oil surplus, which posted up to $22 billion. In 2008, when prices fell from 148 to $ 38 a barrel, no one has heard of Nigeria because the country was able to tap into this fund. And that, I am very proud [of].

“When I returned to the department in 2011, there remained only $4 billion on this account while the price of oil was very high! I tried again to put money aside. The president agreed, but the governors did not accept.

“I suffered a lot of attacks from them and now that the country would really need this account, these same people accuse me of not having saved! If Nigeria had been more careful, we would not be here today. It hurts me. We have the mechanism, we had the experience, but we were prevented to act.”

CHILDHOOD HARDSHIP AND BIAFRAN WAR

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Okonjo-Iweala further spoke on her childhood and the hardship she experienced first-hand, during the Biafran war.

“I grew up in a village in southern Nigeria where I grew up to 8 and a half years by my grandmother. My parents were scholarship students in Germany and did not have enough money to take me with them.

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“I learned real life, fetching wood, water. At 5, I could cook. This life has given me strength and a strong character. The other experience from my childhood is the Biafran war (1967-1970). My parents lost everything. I knew what it was to have nothing more.”

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9 Comments

  1. Adeniyi Kolapo
    Adeniyi Kolapo April 07, 02:10

    You experienced these things during the last civil war & yet some chaps who were not privy of this are still canvassing the same thing that caused that stupid & senseless war. What an irony of faith, better warn them not to let history to repeat itself. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Reply to this comment
    • Edward
      Edward April 07, 09:48

      Must we fight another war before a people can be granted self determination? How many wars has Catalonia fought against Spain? How many wars has Scotland fought against United Kingdom? Can’t a people come together and discuss their future? Have you ever seen the protesting Biafran youths carrying arms during protests? These people are asking for self determination, not war. They want a country called Biafra out of Nigeria. They don’t want war. Get that please.

      Reply to this comment
      • Udo
        Udo April 08, 23:51

        Well said, asking for independence doesn’t mean asking for war. Nigeria in her criminal intention unleashed war against Biafrans in 1967-1970 just because Biafrans wanted independence. This barbaric waste of human lives by Nigeria must not repeat itself!

        Reply to this comment
  2. TRUTH
    TRUTH April 07, 06:36

    The problem of this country is tribalism and religion, they are know you are very good at your job. God will continue to keep you and bless you.

    Reply to this comment
  3. Marley Ritz
    Marley Ritz April 07, 08:56

    An excellent and transparent administrator.

    Reply to this comment
  4. APC/PDP/TAN
    APC/PDP/TAN April 07, 09:43

    This woman’s mum was kidnapped by palace guards who felt disgruntled by the treatment they received in their palace and not because of fuel subsidy.

    Reply to this comment
    • Fula
      Fula April 07, 13:29

      I thoughtas much. I remember some of the palace guards were arrested butno “sponsor” waa found. Na only her and GEJ sabi dis story o

      Reply to this comment
  5. Martins
    Martins April 07, 12:52

    This woman should go and sit down, we have gone past this stage now. How come you did not tell your interviewer the reason governors asked that the funds be shared was the non transparent way you and the President were running the account.With the Dasuki scandal we all now know better….As per the kidnap case, pls your view is totally wrong. How come the kidnappers were not caught, tried and sentenced based on this your line that subsidy cabal arranged for it. The same you who increased our debt burden to foreign nations in the midst of oil boom is now singing a different song. Abeg second base.

    Reply to this comment
  6. Sandie
    Sandie April 07, 21:16

    No. The problem we have in this country is that our leaders are selfish and greedy. We are yet to be ruled by the right leaders. The good ones are overpowered by the corrupt ones. We are yet to see the limelight in this country. God help us

    Reply to this comment

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