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Jim Iyke publicly apologises to Linda Ikeji over tweeter rant

Jim earlier tweeted at Linda Ikeji; “Fuck off lady! I’m nt even gonna pretend to be a gentleman abt tis. U cn play d victim all u want but I dnt give a rat ass, period.” It was in response to an online publication from another ‘Linda ‘over an image that depicted Jim Iyke eating roasted corn in Amsterdam.

Linda then protested “U’re just attacking me for no reason. U sure u’re alright?”

However, after finding out that the wrong Linda tweeted the attack at him, Jim swallowed his pride and tweeted an apology; “Apologies Linda. My vitriol on u ws a genuine error as I misread the handle. Hope u’ll boro a leaf from my apology based on ur antecedent attacks.”

Kanye West orders D’banj and Don Jazzy makeup

If reports from numerous Nigerian blog sites are anything to go by then DB Records owner and pop artiste D’Banj is desperately trying to reconcile with his former Mo’ Hits partner Don Jazzy.
 According to this reports, Kaye West called Don Jazzy to try and get the two Mo’ Hits owners to forget the past and work again. Sources  close to both D’Banj and Don Jazzy confirmed this to be true.
 This reports also coincides with the Kanye West, Don Jazzy and D’Banj story in today’s edition of City People. According to the magazine, “Kanye West, believed to be at the center of the controversy that led to their fight is making efforts to reconcile them…Kanye West was not aware of the fight between D’Banj and Don Jazzy till about 3 months ago, and has been trying to get them back together.”
The City People story goes on to say that “while Kanye was in the studio with D’Banj some weeks back working on the remix of “Scapegoat” he brought the topic up again and asked D’banj why Don Jazzy was not in the US with him working on the song.
 D’Banj was said to have told him that they are still friends but now work on different platforms. Kanye was said not to be happy about the fact that his name was in the internet as one of the reasons the duo fell apart. He insists they get back together if he has to keep working with D’banj.
 He prompted D’Banj to once again try and make up with Don Jazzy.
“Recently D’Banj invited Kanye West to come to Nigeria for the video shoot of “Scape Goat” remix he did with Kanye. Kanye accepted but gave a strict condition that he will come only after he must have reconciled with Don Jazzy who must also be in the video.” According to the City People story, after several attempts by D’Banj, Don Jazzy agreed to appear in the video on the condition that he gets paid for his appearance.

Bugatti Veyron : $1.9M – $4.4M : Want to know who drives one?

A Total of 300 units have been sold over the past 7 years. 91 units were sold last year, which was the highest sales for any year since inception. It is the worlds fastest car and arguably the most expensive costing between $1.9M – $4.4M per unit. That is N200M – N690M for a single car. One was rumoured to have been spotted in Abuja a month or two ago. Below is a list of some athletes and celebrities who own a Bugatti Veyron.

1. Simon Phillip Cowell  is a British A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco.

2. Birdman or Baby, is an American rapper, businessman, and record producer. He is the co-founder of Cash Money Records.

3. Samuel Eto’o Fils  is a Cameroonian footballer who plays as a striker for Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala. He is the most decorated African player of all time. Samuel Eto’o is the world’s second highest earning athlete (second to Tiger Woods) and the highest paid footballer in the world, (followed by Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Zlatan Ibrahimovi? of Paris Saint-Germain.) raking in £35.7 million (over $54 million) a year excluding off-field earnings.

4. Roberto Carlos, is a retired footballer who works as a sporting director for Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala.

 

5. Flo Rida , is an American rapper and singer-songwriter.

6. T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor.

 

Kim Kardashian from Range Rovers to Lamborghinis, Kim K and her many cars…

In late June 2012 Kim Kardashian ditched her white Rolls Royce Ghost for a black one customized by Platinum Motorsport.
Kim Kardashian Black Rolls Royce Ghost

Kim Kardashian Kanye West Rolls Royce
Kim Kardashian Rolls Royce
Kim Kardashian Kanye West Rolls Royce

 

Kim’s Ferrari 458 Italia

Kim Kardhashian's Ferarri 458

kims ferrari 458

Kim Ferrari 458

Kim’s White Rolls Royce Ghost

Kim Kardashian's White Rolls Royce

Kim Kardashian Rolls Royce Ghost

Kim Kardashian Rolls Royce

Kim's Rolls Royce

Kim’s Blacked-Out Bentley Continental GTC

Kim Kardashian's Bentley

Kim’s Black Range Rover

Kim Kardashian's Black Range Rover

Kim Kardashian Range Rover

Kim’s White Range Rover

Kim Kardashian's White Range Rover

Kim Driving The Lamborghini Aventador She Bought For Kanye

Kim Kardashian's Lamborghini gift from Kanye

Kim Kardashian's Lamborghini gift from Kanye

 

“MKO Abiola Gave UNILAG N100 Million (N15 Billion Now) In the 80s” – ThisDay Publisher, Nduka O.

Nduka O.

I am sure thousands of Nigerians have various testimonies and reminiscences on their encounters with the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the presidential election of June 12, 1993. Here is the story of my last encounters with the man of history.

It was a few minutes to flight time on May 9, 1994. As I ran towards the boarding gate to catch the last South African Airways flight to Johannesburg, I was told to take it easy as other passengers were still awaited and behind me. After handing over my boarding papers, I turned around and to my surprise, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was standing behind me waiting to board the same aircraft to Johannesburg for the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as President of a free South Africa.

Abiola was with his wife of blessed memory, Kudirat, my senior friend and Publisher of AFRICA TODAY Books and Magazines, Chief Ralph Uwechue, and my brother journalist, Cameron Daoudu, who writes for the London Observer. I hugged the Bashorun as I had not seen him for almost a year since the June 12, 1993 presidential election. We soon settled into the flight on which Bashorun, Kudirat and I were seated on the same row. Kudirat sat by the window.

First he upbraided and scolded me for not supporting his 1993 presidential bid despite our relationship. I also accused him of backing and funding my opponent, the late Chris Okolie in my senatorial bid in 1991. We made peace when he told the story of how he had to drive several hours by road from Ilorin to Lagos to attend my marriage to my ex-wife in Lagos City Hall, in August 1987. We discussed Nigeria and the unresolved political crises. We discussed Nelson Mandela and his impending presidency and what it meant for Africa. I then invited him (and he accepted) to attend and speak at our global conference on Change & Challenge in South Africa in Lagos, on June 8, 1994.

Soon after we landed at the Johannesburg International Airport, we were ushered into the VIP welcome area for foreign visitors to the Mandela inauguration. I was the first to go through the immigration. MKO and his delegation went through another immigration desk but I could hear him clearly tell the immigration officials that he was the President of Nigeria. As soon as he said that the immigration officials apologised for the oversight and asked for a few minutes to get their protocols right; the officials were visibly confused as Heads of State delegations were treated differently. As I tried to make my way out, the head of the team came to me and asked, “I can see you are also a Nigerian; is he the President of Nigeria?” Silence…

MKO and his delegation who were only about five steps away from me were listening to my every word… and I had only just reconciled with the man on the aircraft… How was I to respond to this? I quickly collected my thoughts and said to the SA official: “Yes, he was elected President of Nigeria… eh… but you may wish to also contact the Nigerian Embassy.” I made my way out into the bus to the Carlton Hotel in central Johannesburg, where invited guests were booked.

MKO and the delegation were given official cars to the Carlton Hotel – I later heard these were the official cars reserved for the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and his delegation. After checking into the Carlton Hotel, a quick bath and change of clothing, I made my way with a friend in a protocol bus (no cars for private guests were allowed to the venue) to Pretoria.

Entering the Union Buildings venue of the Mandela inauguration was mind-blowing. It was one moment in history that will remain etched in my memory forever. The first Nigerian I saw as I climbed those majestic stairs was Dele Olojede in his reporter tunic.

He was there reporting for the New York’s Newsday. The dias was even more intimidating. It was a roll call of global leaders and celebrities: from Fidel Castro to Colin Powell; from the late Yassar Arafat to Hilary Clinton. You name the celebrity and world leaders, they were present: kings, queens, actors, writers, icons et al.. Abiola and his team sat quietly among them… I could also see former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Emeka Anyaoku at different points in the audience.

Moments later, I saw the Nigerian delegation arrive. Babagana Kingibe, Abiola’s preside-ntial running mate and then Minister of Foreign Affairs, quickly spotted and walked towards me. After a handshake and a bear hug, he took me to greet General Sani Abacha who was with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former President Shehu Shagari and Admiral Alison Madueke (then in the Armed Forces Ruling Council). After which Kingibe asked where Abiola was seated. As I pointed towards the direction of Abiola, he hit my hand and said, “Haba! Please do not point towards him…!” The official Nigerian delegation was obviously shaken by the ‘unofficial’ Nigerian delegation!

We all watched South Africa’s powerful entry onto the world stage. I was struck that all VVIP dignitaries were seated together in the audience and the stage was reserved only for Nelson Mandela, F W de-Klerk and heroes of the anti-apartheid struggle like Oliver Thambo and Govan Mbeki. Many in that audience were moved to tears as Mandela took power and spoke eloquently.

At the end it seemed Abiola was transformed and determined to reclaim his mandate from Abacha and his fellow travelers. Cameron Daodu told me at the end of the ceremony that Abiola was now a changed man and would not be attending the Inauguration Banquet but instead would be heading back to London that night to re-energise his struggle. I was not surprised when a few days later, NADECO was formed.

I did not see Abiola after the inauguration and went ahead with plans for our international conference on ‘Change & Challenge in South Africa’ held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 8, 1994. On the eve of the event, I got Dele Momodu, my founding Editor at Leaders & Company Ltd to confirm if Abiola would still be keeping his promise to attend the event given the tense political climate at that time. Abiola confirmed that he would attend. On that fateful June day, Abiola showed up with Momodu and several others.

He took the Abacha regime to the cleaners, demanded his mandate to a standing ovation and challenged the military as never before… That was to be his last public appearance as a free man. After his speech he went underground only to re-appear on June 12 at Epetedo, Lagos on the anniversary of his election to declare himself President. The rest, as they say, is history.

For me, hosting Abiola began my collision with the Abacha regime. And only worsened when we began publishing THISDAY on January 22, 1995. The results were my harassment, detention and exile.

I returned from exile weeks after Abacha’s death. On July 7, 1998 when I learnt then UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, US official Susan Rice and others were in Abuja to secure Abiola’s release, I headed to Abuja. As I alighted from the aircraft, I got a call from Peter Igbinedion, former Managing Director of FAAN who immediately said, “Hold on for Baba.” Kingibe got on the phone and asked where I was. I said I had just landed at Abuja airport. He asked that I proceed urgently to Aso Rock clinic, near the Presidential Villa. Not sensing anything I made my way to Aso Rock Clinic where I saw Kingibe and Igbinedion standing with long faces in the company of Bisi Abiola, Doyin Abiola and Lola Abiola-Edewor. I did not need to be told much.

I went into the clinic and found the covered body of Abiola on the clinic bed and his slippers on the floor. Kingibe took me away and told me the new Head of State wanted to see me immediately. General Abdulsalami Abubakar sat in his living room with his military and security brass – a few of whom were my tormentors a few weeks earlier – and asked: ‘Nduka, how do we handle the media?’ I told the General, ‘There is nothing to handle! Just get on live television and tell the world everything…’. The meeting lasted a few minutes and we made our way out of the Abuja barracks where Abdulsalami was still residing. But the impact of that day may have changed our nation for good and given us the democracy we know of today.

Clearly, several of Abdulsalami’s colleagues were in no mood to hand over power to Abiola or a democratically elected government in a short time. Abiola’s death in custody changed all that. For one it gave Abdulsalami Abubakar the impetus to hand over power when he did on May 29, 1999, against the wishes of many of his colleagues. I tell this story as witness to history to demonstrate what I consider the nexus between Abiola’s untimely death and our Fourth Republic Democracy. And President Goodluck Jonathan was right in the circumstance to honour Abiola for his martyrdom. Many have expressed the view that whilst Abiola was deserving of honour, the name of the University of Lagos should not have been changed to Moshood Abiola University.

Now let us deal with the form and substance. Most agree with the substance of President Jonathan’s action that Abiola be honoured, but many do not agree with the form that the honour has taken; many more would have wished more consultations. Some – especially in the Unilag community – do not just wish to give up a part of the Unilag brand for MKO Abiola. As a collective, we have forgotten so soon the man who lost his life for Nigeria to have freedom (of choice) and keep the military in the barracks. Some even say you do not name iconic global universities like UNILAG and Harvard after individuals. Indeed Harvard University was named after John Harvard when he became that university’s earliest benefactor in 1636.

Abiola was a great benefactor to major universities in Nigeria, especially the University of Lagos to which he gave N100 million in the eighties (about N15 billion in today’s Naira). James Buchanan Duke renamed Duke University after his father Washington Duke in 1904 while Cornell University was named after historian Ezra Cornell! Harvard, Duke and Cornell are amongst the world’s top ranking universities as is John Hopkins University whose name was changed from the University of Baltimore to John Hopkins University in 1876.

Or is it the first University in New York City whose name was changed from Kings College to Columbia College (and later university) after 30 years of scholarship? What about Princeton University which started out as College of New Jersey? And Yale University which also started out as The Collegiate School in 1701 and renamed 17 years later after a Welsh businessman in India, Elihu Yale?

We can go on and on… Universities are not made by names, they become global centers of research and excellence through hard work and scholarship! What we need now is to promote research and scholarship not just in the renamed Moshood Abiola University of Lagos, but in all Nigerian universities so they truly can be centres of excellence and learning. What we need now is not to betray Abiola or blight his ultimate sacrifice, but ensure that we keep his legacies alive. What we need now is not to name stadia and buildings after Abiola, because stadia do not last forever as do great centres of ideas and learning like universities. For sooner or later structures are demolished in the face of architectural advances, sporting developments, and/ or growing demands of expanding cities.

What if Onikan Stadium, Lagos was named after the late Obafemi Awolowo: will it still be fit for purpose? I also agree with the many who say Abiola is not the only icon of our democratic struggle and so should not be the only one so honoured. To them I say there are many more anniversaries ahead for fallen heroes such as Shehu Yar’Adua to be honoured. But today is Abiola’s moment. Let us give him all his due. Imperfect as he was, he was truly the symbol of our Fourth Republic Democracy.

Culled from Thisday Live
In the article titled MKO and the Last Flight to Johannesburg
By Nduka Obaigbena

‘As we all await the demise of Majek Fashek’ by Uche Nnaji

Majek Fahek

MAJEK FASHEK TODAY!

As we all mourn the exit of a legend, I am personally saddened because she was one of those who sang Love songs with meaning :’(. With the amount of emotions being shown, it is obvious that her 48yrs has made an indelible mark in music history. Adieu WH.

However, I wish to notify everyone of a trend that has become so rampant that needs be nipped in the bud. Why do we often celebrate the dead but never pay them as much emotion/attention whilst they are yet alive?

Legendary Majek Fashek is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated talents and sons. Accurate details of him yet elude me as to how his health deteriorated to this point and what led up to him being in this situation, but I dare say the “Rain-Maker” remains an icon like Fela is to Nigeria/Africa

I can bet for sure that if this guy passes on today, we will see and hear just as much outburst of emotions in Nigeria as Whitney is getting today.

So in d spirit of brotherhood, I wish to ask if it is possible to show some love and honor now that he is alive. Or would we rather wait for him to eventually pass on before we organize Charity concerts & documentaries all over the place with all our big artistes coming to show love by performing?

Can these concerts not happen now, both to celebrate & possibly raise necessary funds for a proper rehabilitation & nurture of this great Icon of Nigerian music?

Where is PMAN? And other well meaning artist? Can’t our artiste like Tu Face,Omawunmi,Mc Thuraya,M.I,Tiwa Salvage,WizKid, Flavour come together & do a remix of some of his classics with him & put it out there for him to witness whilst he’s still alive? I can only imagine what a classic it will be to have a Don Jazzy,C. Asuquo,Wole Oni or Samklef produced Majek Song.

Meeting Majek is a privilege I never had neither do I have any present means of reaching him. But trust me guys we can show real love this season to the living like Majek – Uche Nnaji.

Uche NNAJI is a renowned fashion designer behind the Ouch couture & lifestyle.

The Song That Nigeria Wrote by Banky W

Banky W.

Banky W is a renowned singer and EME [label Wizkid and Skales are signed] vice president.

“Every Country has the Government that it deserves” – Joseph Marie de Maistre (French Philosopher).

Despite the fact that more than seventy percent of Nigerians live on less than $2 per day; the first thing the Government did in 2012 was to make life harder by almost tripling the price of fuel. Invariably, the cost of food, transportation, etc.. all went up, and yet the basic income/salary of the average Nigerian stayed the same.

No matter how you look at it, it’s unfair. If the Govt took steps to make life a little better for its citizens; if we had electricity, or Security, etc.. it wouldn’t be so bad. If they invested in refineries, so that we could refine/produce our own oil products, we wouldn’t be buying our own oil back at exorbitant prices, and there would be no need to subsidize fuel.For some of us, the Fuel Subsidy Removal was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. In a Country already plagued with decades of unresolved problems, the Government, in one fell swoop, made a decision, that at least in the short term, made life harder for the majority of its citizens; most of whom already had it hard to begin with.

There’s still nothing close to constant electricity for most of Nigeria; nothing close to quality basic education for all, healthcare, clean water, good roads, etc. In a country already dealing with tribal strife and armed robbery raining terror on citizens, we entered a new year now also having to deal with organized Terrorist Groups like Boko Haram claiming the lives of so many innocent citizens on an almost weekly basis, with the Government showing no signs of slowing them down.But the blame should not go to the government alone.

If Nigeria’s leaders are guilty of consistently providing failed, corrupt leadership, the citizens, on their own part, are guilty of consistently supplying apathy. We vote our leaders into power (or we sit at home and let others decide who should lead us). We see them inflating budget numbers, stealing, disrespecting the offices they hold, trampling on the citizens they are supposed to protect, and blatantly refusing to do the jobs we elected them for; yet we respond by saying “God dey” and “its Naija”. And every election cycle comes and goes, yet the story remains the same.We can no longer accept this of ourselves.

We are to blame for the leaders we put in office. We are to blame for the state of Nigeria. We owe it to future generations, not to hand them the same Nigeria we are seeing today, or one that has deteriorated further. Change comes when we decide it should. We have two powers as citizens; the power to vote, and the power to protest. I was encouraged by the thousands of Nigerians that FINALLY took to the streets to speak up for what they believe in. This is just the beginning.

We must continue to protest, non-violently, in every medium possible, until the Government starts to do a decent job, or until we are angry enough at their actions, that by the next election cycle, we change the Country by voting for the kind of people who actually deserve it, and not the status quo.It is with this in mind, that I’m teaming up with fellow associates of the October 2011 Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), to create a song and music video, that will hopefully inspire Nigerians worldwide to be a part of the Change they want to see in the country.

The song is supposed to express the expectations we have of our Leaders, as well as what we expect of ourselves; the hope is to create a song that inspires each person to believe in the dream of a brighter future for Nigeria, and to play whatever role necessary to make that dream a reality.However, instead of just creating a song to preach to Nigerians, we’ve decided to give every Nigerian a chance to be a part of it, by allowing everyone to contribute lyrics to the song. The idea is for this to be the song created “by Nigerians for Nigeria” (suggestion: “by Nigerians, for Nigerians, about Nigeria”).

We will upload an incomplete draft of the chorus idea for the song, so that everyone gets a feel for where the song is going musically. We’ll then open up online mediums (Twitter, Facebook, email etc) to Nigerians all over the world to send in suggestions for lyrics. The lyrics will be collected and vetted by members of the NLI class; the final lyrics will be used to craft the verses and the final chorus for the song… and the hope is that this song, created by Nigerians for Nigeria, will travel far and wide; and the message will be communicated to every leader and citizen of this great country…We will continue to protest by speaking up; we will continue to stand up for ourselves and for our country. And if our issues continue to be ignored, when the time comes, we will Vote for Change on EVERY level. We must, because Nigeria must change. Nigeria WILL change.

PS: Step-by-Step Instructions as to how you can submit lyrics to be a part of this project will follow shortly… please join us and be involved. Thanks!

‘Okonjo-Iweala did not threaten to Resign… Fuel subsidy is a government, not a personal decision’ by Paul C Nwabuikwu

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala


Paul C Nwabuikwu is Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance

It has come to our notice that a well coordinated campaign of calumny against the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, founded on outright lies and despicable distortions is being executed by cowardly persons hiding behind the ongoing controversy over the government’s decision to deregulate the petroleum sector.

For obvious reasons, the faceless campaigners have elected to tell their lies online because the normal journalistic principles of facts and balanced reporting are generally absent there.

For instance, we have received numerous enquiries regarding an alleged threat by the Coordinating Minister to resign if the government goes back on its decision to end the fuel subsidies. The threat was supposedly made during the emergency Federal Executive Council meeting which held yesterday.

This speculation, like numerous others is absolutely false. DR OKONJO-IWEALA WAS NOT AT THE MEETING BECAUSE SHE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHEN IT WAS GOING ON. In other words, they are saying that she made a threat at a meeting that she did not attend. She made no such threat physically or through any other means. She had no reason to.

The agenda behind the alleged threat and similar stories is obvious: to inspire public hatred and odium against her person by manipulating public opinion so that she is seen as the sole person pushing for the removal of subsidies.

Their calculation is that Nigerians are so angry and so gullible that they will believe anything if the lies are supported with manufactured “facts”. But we believe that fair minded Nigerians are not fools.

It is clear that governments and certainly the Jonathan administration do not work in the manner that the peddlers of falsehood are saying. It is not only naive but also highly disrespectful to the President and the government as a whole to suggest that the entire decision making machinery of government is the sole preserve of any official.

We urge the media and the Nigerian public to ignore the antics of people who obviously believe that Nigerians are fools.

For the avoidance of doubt, Dr Okonjo-Iweala supports the decision on fuel subsidy removal because she believes that ending the subsidies will drastically reduce corruption in the downstream sector.

Deregulation will also help to end the waivers enjoyed by powerful cabals at the expense of the Nigerian people. In addition, the vast majority of Nigerians will also gain as the proceeds will be redirected into safety nets, other identifiable social interventions as well as provision of sorely needed infrastructure projects nationwide.

Thank you.

Tribute to a Treasure – Lady Florence Egbosima by Onyeka Nwelue

Onyeka Nwelue

Onyeka Nwelue writes from Lagos and is editor of FilmAfrique, published by Africa Film Academy, curators of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Women made us lose paradise, but how frequently we find it again in their arms. – J. De Finod

There are many journeys and obstacles we each take in life and losing someone is never one of the easy ones.

It doesn’t mean you are weak when seeking help. It means you are strong for seeking it. Don’t give up and say, ‘I can’t deal with my problems anymore’ or ‘I am just unlucky in life.’ Not true. The mind is a very powerful tool. Sometimes we just need someone to show us where the key is.

Knowing that the neighbour’s corpse is like firewood, being carried past, there is a connection to the heart that I have created this lens to pay tribute to this great educationist.

All of the worlds that know Lady Florence Egbosima were saddened by the news of her death. For many, she was their mother. For many more, she was their pillar. Even though we celebrate the life she lived now, we still miss her so much. She was a woman with a heart of gold.

I grew up in the countryside, as the son of a teacher. I was very close to my mother; she was that teacher every pupil loved. The pupils could sacrifice anything for my mother. It marveled me. They could do anything to make her happy. It seemed like they took her like an angel. Firewood, they fetched for her. Water, same thing. Her happiness was centred on the happiness of those children who revered, respected and loved her. In sickness and troubles, these children stood for my mother.

Lady Florence walked the same way too and there are thousands of people who admire her courage. As we stand here today, thinking of her transition onto glory, we weep for the loss of a woman who changed the way we reasoned, who influenced each and every one of us. Some of us may not be able to come out and say what and how we feel about her, but we all know what we have within.

All over the world, we are surrounded by strong women who tread where the angels fear to tread, if I could be allowed to say it that way. The moment people like Lady Egbosima physically walked out of the education sector, because of retirement; the sham began to surface mildly. Those who were under her tutelage will agree with me that she remained to them, an epitome of pride. Even right now. There are certain people you can’t do without – this amazingly talented mathematician is one of them. Truth be told, few women are like her. This is a woman whose life has evolved around great children, as her daughter, Mrs Cathy Echeozo is the Deputy Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank. This is not far from the truth on how she raised children, how she championed the cause of greatness.

For the most part, I stand here to salute a woman who changed many worlds, a woman whose heart has beaten for a lot of great men, a woman who has transformed a lot of lives and whose death will cause a lot of lamentation amidst men with souls and hearts.

We love you, Lady Florence. We will miss you, Onye Nkuzi! Kachifo!

RE: Contract Award to Chi-Chi Okonjo by his sister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by Bimbo Ogunseitan

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

Bimbo Ogunseitan is Director, Vintage Global Solutions (VGS) and former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Due Process.

I am shocked to read that Sahara Reporters will descend so low to publish an unsubstantiated allegation by an article written by the ex spokesperson of ex-convict James Ibori and a man reputed to have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from Nigeria without getting the facts right.

It is highly mischievous for anyone to have written that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala awarded such a contract for a Running Operational Review to her brother. It is a blatant lie and absolutely false. My name was mentioned in the article therefore I will respond with the facts.

Several firms were invited to bid for a secretive analysis of the finances of FCT by then Minister of FCT, Mallam Nasir el Rufai. The Minister had suspected that a lot of fraud was being perpetrated by civil servants and that hundreds of millions of Naira or rather billions were being stolen by these same civil servants. Of all the firms that put in the bid, only two firms accepted to do the work for under N10 million. Other firms declined to do this because of the amount offered for the project. Mallam Nasir el Rufai told us that he had only N10 million to offer for this work. Under normal circumstances, my firm and Mr. Okonjo’s firm ought to have declined this but we were convinced to partner together because our firms were some of the best in the field of forensic investigations. If I recall, Mallam el Rufai mentioned to me that ChiChi Okonjo’s firm helped him uncover massive fraud in the Oil Sector to the tune of over N40 billion when he was DG of BPE. Although we were reluctant because of the paltry pay, we were asked to consider this job a service to the nation. We finally jointly agreed to perform this service for a total of N9.6 million or roughly N10 million.

So many career civil servants were bitter that firms were contacted to investigate the finances of FCT. We faced open hostility because of this. We were asked to work quietly and even offered police protection if we needed it. In the process, we uncovered over N2 billion worth of money misapplied or directly stolen. This we did jointly for N10 million. It is thus, fraudulent for anyone to say that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala offered her brother this project for N15 million. It is the height of mischief and disrepute. Mr. ChiChi Okonjo’s firm worked excellently with my firm and is one of the few firms known for forensic analysis and due diligence. For a paltry N10 million we discovered over N2 billion in fraud. That is the story! I still have the report on our findings in the FCT.

I finally ask Sahara Reporters to desist from gutter journalism and sensationalism particularly directed at Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala or her family. It is indecent and disgusting.

- Bimbo Ogunseitan