Friday, September 7, 2012
Romance Meets Life: Unrealistic Expectations can kill Relationships
Romance Meets Life: Unrealistic Expectations can kill Relationships: First a word from our sponsors; Work Connects us All. And the guest post by Huntly Anabs; Early this morning, I was engaged in a conve...
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Memories live on: As Atiku invades Europe & America
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| ATIKU INVADES EUROPE & AMERICA |
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| Jelili Atiku Presenting his talks at The Tate Modern Tanks in LONDON 21ST JULY 2012 |
In a recent international exchange programme at
Antroposophical Arttherapy School (White House), Culture Centrum, Järna,
Sweden, participants were drawn from Sweden, Norway, Nigeria and
Ugandan and comprised of visual artists, human rights activists,
educationists, ecologists, environmentalists and green living advocates,
and entrepreneurs to examine certain socio-cultural issues as they
affect democracy and human rights around the globe. Nigeria’s Atiku
Jelili was one of the participants, with theme ‘Democracy and Human
Rights: Cultural Actors’ Expert Exchanges’. The programme is the
Swedish Institute’s funded expert exchange. It is an opinion-making and
policy-oriented nature to promote openness and democratic, economic and
social progress in developing countries through the transfer of
knowledge and experience to senior officials and experts working with
democracy, human rights, gender equality and the role of women in
development.
I PRESENTED a talk, which I titled “God’s Expedition: The Mirror in Me” – where I examined my experience as political artist with concerns for human rights and justice based in Nigeria. Quoting Gilbert’s (1998) statement, “everything in life comes down to politics. All worthy emotions – love, honor, patriotism, charity – have at their root a concern with politics, which means simply possessing the power to achieve one’s desired goal. This is not the place to debate whether that theory holds true or not, but it is certainly clear that a greater portion of the world’s art has had political implications”.
I examined and discussed the potentialities of artistic and cultural engagement in influencing participatory democracy and promotion of human rights. I made reference to my artistic works, especially “Ewawo: The Awaiting Trial Persons” – An installation sculpture, which was exhibited in 2005 at Lagos State House of Assembly as a protest against “Holding Charge”, In The Red (ongoing performance project) that began in 2008 and uses red as a symbol of life, suffering, danger and violence; Agbo Rago – a performance at Ejigbo Ram Market, Lagos, 11th Lagos Book and Art Festival, 2nd African Summit and Exhibition on Visual Art (ARESUVA), Abuja, Nigeria; Who’s Afraid of FoI Bill?, United Nations Information Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, etc.
In the presentation, I recommended that: (i) visual artists should direct or redirect visual forms to investigate, question and combat all those “things” that endanger the existence of humanity; (ii) the protection and promotion of human rights should be a legitimate concern of every man and woman of the world; and (iii) the stakeholders in justice administrative system should inculcate the use of art works and activities to advocate for the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights; and enlighten the public on these rights.
On July 3, I enact a performance titled, “In (ut) Flöde” as winding-off event of the exchange programme. The performance, which was done in collaboration with Helene Aurell (Swedish artist), Nigel Wells (UK/Swedish artist) and Pål Gunnäs (Norwegian artist), took place at Trädgårdsparken, Kulturcentrum, Jarna, Sweden. Images of the performance attached.
Through the performance, I tried to project the fact that our world is put under pressure due to biodiversity loss. There is worldwide melting of glaciers, which is threating to eliminate the water supply for numerous towns in valleys. Hence, water could very soon become a very scarce resource for many regions of the world. Worst still, our interactions between nature is growing into deterioration as we search for material goods and find happiness stringently in money. I became a living biodynamic body in the performance.
Talk and Performance at The Tanks: Ethics of the Encounter, Tate Modern, London on the July 21 2012 – In this event, I will be performing a live art, where I will invite audience members to participate in the performance, In the Red series. After laying out 24 pieces of red cloth I will create a placard inviting people to stand on the cloth, by way of entering the performance. I will weave my way through the group and once at the last person in the group he will begin to wash their feet. This will continue until each person has had their feet washed. Each person in the performance from the audience will write on the red paper (card), which they stood on. This will be done immediately I wash each person’s feet. They will simply write words going on in their minds in the course of the performance. It could be anything..!
My talk in this event is titled Gbangbayahu: An Intervention with Human Dignities. I will be presenting documentation of my past performance works, and also demonstrate my approach in engaging activist art in Nigeria. Touching on ideas of ‘Social Sculpture’ (Beuysian), I will discuss how my direct political action and performance works attempt a remoulding our society. Working predominantly through intervention into public spaces, I will strive to show how the influence of Egungun (commonly mislabeled as Masquerade) has had on my live public actions.
Talk at Southbank Centre’s African Utopia: Art and Social Change/Protest, QEH Front Room, Southbank Centre, London on July 22 - I will be joining the penal, which consists of Baaba Maal, Rita Ray – TBC, Elsie Owusu, Disa Allsop – TBC, Jumoké Fashola (the award-winning Broadcaster and Jazz Vocalist CHAIR) and myself in an informal but semi-structured format (rather than a formal lecture). I shall present my experience in using art for Social Change/Protest.
International Artistic Collaboration with Dr. Graham Martin Yorkshire artist in Northern England (Cumbria, Carlisle, Scarborough and York) from 22nd July - 8th August 2012 – The theme of their collaboration is Art and Humanity, and incorporates actions, residencies, live artistic research, talks, workshops and participation. The details events here include Cumbria: 22 -28 July 2012 - Private research residency at Kurt Schwitters Merzbarn. Carlisle: 29th July - Art & Being Workshop at Freerange Artists. Scarborough: 2-5th August - Private residency at The House project, Knipe Point, Scarborough; and Art & Being Workshop at Woodend Creative Industries Centre, The Crescent, Scarborough. York: 7th August - Public actions in Parliament St, York and evening artists talk - Space 109 Walmgate, York.
It is pertinent to mention that for over a year Dr. Martin and myself have been engaged in dialogue concerning the possibility of working together. Tate Modern’s invitation to present my work at The Tanks: Ethics of the Encounter, London this summer has made this collaboration possible. Dr. Graham thus organised and coordinated the events in this collaboration. The collaboration was also supported by Arts Council England.
Dr. Graham Martin is an artist based in Yorkshire - his art covers text, photography, actions, and mixed media objects and often addresses social and human concerns albeit in a playful way. He has received numerous Arts Council grants and has shown across UK and in Germany, Russia, Italy and Mongolia. He was a special guest at the 4th Free International Forum in Bolognano Italy in 2010. His 2011 solo show at Gallery 11 Bradford, The Revolution is Healing, was inspired by Joseph Beuys notion of ‘a collective negation of common humanity’, and explored common wounds, healing and the contemporary accumulation of loss. Dr. Martin is also director and curator of AGENCY – Art, life and society, an international curatorial project based in Yorkshire concerned with the socio political and the how and why of living. For more information on Dr. Martins, contact: www.agencyartlifesociety.com.
I am using this opportunity to thank members of Nigerian Press, especially those in the art desk for giving adequate and comprehensive reports on my artistic practices. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Edumare a tin yin leyin o, ase!
I PRESENTED a talk, which I titled “God’s Expedition: The Mirror in Me” – where I examined my experience as political artist with concerns for human rights and justice based in Nigeria. Quoting Gilbert’s (1998) statement, “everything in life comes down to politics. All worthy emotions – love, honor, patriotism, charity – have at their root a concern with politics, which means simply possessing the power to achieve one’s desired goal. This is not the place to debate whether that theory holds true or not, but it is certainly clear that a greater portion of the world’s art has had political implications”.
I examined and discussed the potentialities of artistic and cultural engagement in influencing participatory democracy and promotion of human rights. I made reference to my artistic works, especially “Ewawo: The Awaiting Trial Persons” – An installation sculpture, which was exhibited in 2005 at Lagos State House of Assembly as a protest against “Holding Charge”, In The Red (ongoing performance project) that began in 2008 and uses red as a symbol of life, suffering, danger and violence; Agbo Rago – a performance at Ejigbo Ram Market, Lagos, 11th Lagos Book and Art Festival, 2nd African Summit and Exhibition on Visual Art (ARESUVA), Abuja, Nigeria; Who’s Afraid of FoI Bill?, United Nations Information Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, etc.
In the presentation, I recommended that: (i) visual artists should direct or redirect visual forms to investigate, question and combat all those “things” that endanger the existence of humanity; (ii) the protection and promotion of human rights should be a legitimate concern of every man and woman of the world; and (iii) the stakeholders in justice administrative system should inculcate the use of art works and activities to advocate for the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights; and enlighten the public on these rights.
On July 3, I enact a performance titled, “In (ut) Flöde” as winding-off event of the exchange programme. The performance, which was done in collaboration with Helene Aurell (Swedish artist), Nigel Wells (UK/Swedish artist) and Pål Gunnäs (Norwegian artist), took place at Trädgårdsparken, Kulturcentrum, Jarna, Sweden. Images of the performance attached.
Through the performance, I tried to project the fact that our world is put under pressure due to biodiversity loss. There is worldwide melting of glaciers, which is threating to eliminate the water supply for numerous towns in valleys. Hence, water could very soon become a very scarce resource for many regions of the world. Worst still, our interactions between nature is growing into deterioration as we search for material goods and find happiness stringently in money. I became a living biodynamic body in the performance.
Talk and Performance at The Tanks: Ethics of the Encounter, Tate Modern, London on the July 21 2012 – In this event, I will be performing a live art, where I will invite audience members to participate in the performance, In the Red series. After laying out 24 pieces of red cloth I will create a placard inviting people to stand on the cloth, by way of entering the performance. I will weave my way through the group and once at the last person in the group he will begin to wash their feet. This will continue until each person has had their feet washed. Each person in the performance from the audience will write on the red paper (card), which they stood on. This will be done immediately I wash each person’s feet. They will simply write words going on in their minds in the course of the performance. It could be anything..!
My talk in this event is titled Gbangbayahu: An Intervention with Human Dignities. I will be presenting documentation of my past performance works, and also demonstrate my approach in engaging activist art in Nigeria. Touching on ideas of ‘Social Sculpture’ (Beuysian), I will discuss how my direct political action and performance works attempt a remoulding our society. Working predominantly through intervention into public spaces, I will strive to show how the influence of Egungun (commonly mislabeled as Masquerade) has had on my live public actions.
Talk at Southbank Centre’s African Utopia: Art and Social Change/Protest, QEH Front Room, Southbank Centre, London on July 22 - I will be joining the penal, which consists of Baaba Maal, Rita Ray – TBC, Elsie Owusu, Disa Allsop – TBC, Jumoké Fashola (the award-winning Broadcaster and Jazz Vocalist CHAIR) and myself in an informal but semi-structured format (rather than a formal lecture). I shall present my experience in using art for Social Change/Protest.
“Africa Utopia is a month-long festival of music,
theatre, film, literature, dance, fashion, talks and debates programmed
by Southbank Centre in conjunction with renowned Senegalese singer and
human-rights campaigner Baaba Maal, as part of Southbank Centre’s
Festival of the World with MasterCard. Throughout the festival there are
performances by iconic musicians who share Baaba Maal’s belief in the
power of music for social change. You can also hear from writers who
provide insight into the reality of contemporary African culture.
Meanwhile an invited group of young delegates – guided by ‘elders’
including Baaba Maal and Lemn Sissay – explore how art projects can be
mobilized to bring about social change”.
International Artistic Collaboration with Dr. Graham Martin Yorkshire artist in Northern England (Cumbria, Carlisle, Scarborough and York) from 22nd July - 8th August 2012 – The theme of their collaboration is Art and Humanity, and incorporates actions, residencies, live artistic research, talks, workshops and participation. The details events here include Cumbria: 22 -28 July 2012 - Private research residency at Kurt Schwitters Merzbarn. Carlisle: 29th July - Art & Being Workshop at Freerange Artists. Scarborough: 2-5th August - Private residency at The House project, Knipe Point, Scarborough; and Art & Being Workshop at Woodend Creative Industries Centre, The Crescent, Scarborough. York: 7th August - Public actions in Parliament St, York and evening artists talk - Space 109 Walmgate, York.
It is pertinent to mention that for over a year Dr. Martin and myself have been engaged in dialogue concerning the possibility of working together. Tate Modern’s invitation to present my work at The Tanks: Ethics of the Encounter, London this summer has made this collaboration possible. Dr. Graham thus organised and coordinated the events in this collaboration. The collaboration was also supported by Arts Council England.
Dr. Graham Martin is an artist based in Yorkshire - his art covers text, photography, actions, and mixed media objects and often addresses social and human concerns albeit in a playful way. He has received numerous Arts Council grants and has shown across UK and in Germany, Russia, Italy and Mongolia. He was a special guest at the 4th Free International Forum in Bolognano Italy in 2010. His 2011 solo show at Gallery 11 Bradford, The Revolution is Healing, was inspired by Joseph Beuys notion of ‘a collective negation of common humanity’, and explored common wounds, healing and the contemporary accumulation of loss. Dr. Martin is also director and curator of AGENCY – Art, life and society, an international curatorial project based in Yorkshire concerned with the socio political and the how and why of living. For more information on Dr. Martins, contact: www.agencyartlifesociety.com.
I am using this opportunity to thank members of Nigerian Press, especially those in the art desk for giving adequate and comprehensive reports on my artistic practices. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Edumare a tin yin leyin o, ase!
This Article was written by Jelili Atiku which featured in THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER of Saturday, 28th July, 2012.
(http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&%3Bview=article&%3Bid=93626%3Agods-expedition-the-mirror-in-me&%3Bcatid=74%3Aarts&%3BItemid=683#.UBRxDX1fV9l.blogger)
Friday, March 16, 2012
THEY WASTE THEIR MONEY
"If I may be frank, this poem
is a mouse bite to the politicians in Lagos state and others across the
Geo-political states of Nigeria. Typically satirically on our people who
have their eyes to see but not seeing, and have their brains to think
but beclouded with all the fantasies of the beautiful arena they live
in and the tokens they are getting. Well, I pray that people can see the
way you can see, and think the way a sensible person can reason the way
you and I pity for the darkness of this great country, and as you say:
They waste their money/their time,their lives wasting away/And funeral
parties of their fallen kinsmen. Though, this borne down to those who
spend money on unnecessary things instead of investing their money on
very useful things that will add value to their existence, still I can
figure it out that this poem goes beyond a single mindset and spreads its
tentacles to all classes of people living in this country: they are
upper, middle and lower/down trodden."...Salami Adewale
" The true bitter story behind this poem while writing was actually how our so called fathers year in, year out waste away our (their children)'s futures till they breathe their last without shame or remorse as they go on wasting their money or wealth on only transient things . I am very particular about the Awori People/
They waste their money....
Did you say they are so penniless
They cannot afford a bottle of honey?
No! They were the most affluent,
But they waste their money.
Did I hear they are so helpless
They cannot feed their concubines?
No! They were the wealthiest,
But they waste their money.
Are they really indigent
Their children cannot go to school?
No! They were the richest,
But they waste their money.
They claim they own this Lagoon
And yet treated like strangers.
But No! They were the most influential,
Only that they care not and waste their money.
Can I ever believe they are so crippled
Their bad roads failed all repairs?
No! They always look on, wasting their money,
And wait for Aso-Rock to mend.
Ah! Are they really pauperized
They can’t ever trade themselves out of darkness?
“Oh Yes…Alausa knows our plight!”
That is what they are waiting for.
Deadly flood threatens to plague their lives,
Yet, they sit on the fence,
Wasting their money
And blame their chairmen.
Their glittering sky-scrapers
Are surrounded by slummy ghettos,
Yet, they are so indifferent, wasting their money,
And cry foul of T-I-N-U-U-B-U!
Waite a minute! Are they really bad?
Maybe (not)! But they sell and resell their lands,
And must claim (Omo-Onile) dues,
Completely lost to the lyrical tunes of their local poets.
On those senseless murderous affairs,
They waste their money.
Wines, women, pursuit of night-clubs,
And funeral parties of their fallen kinsmen.
They go on wasting their money,
Their time, their lives wasting away,
Their status fading…
Yet, they never woke up,
From this gain-less extravagant slumber…
----by Adeola Goloba
©golobathepoet
"This poem appraised our society critically,in particular,the modern African people who are delighted in spending recklessly in the name of showing off their arrival.The pitiable condition I am experiencing now is that the concerned people in your poetic talking drums is that the drum is drumming to the deaf who are in the authorities/governments/
"Bard Goloba, without a modicum of doubt, your polemical versification of the apostles of ‘Lagos for show’ is as apposite as the sunset. Clinically dissected and empirically construed. The sons and daughters of the wild perforate sacred injunctions to honour the dead and the living with gluttonous lifestyles of feral parties to the detriment of their home front. The parties must go on while the mealtime lasts and their dingy hovels is a testament to a wretched mindset. You portrayed through your transparent lens, vividly capturing the crevices of Lagos megalopolis. My literary crusader, your steamy lines affirm your profound depth!! More fire, more fire!!!"...Onuchi Mark Onoruoiza
"Goloba da Poet... I raise a glass and give a thumbs up to another piece of literary craftmanship. A piece of genius cum socio-economic masterstroke addressing pitfalls in our daylight reality. Can't be better put... as always the NOBELs beckons."...Seth Ogungbe
" The true bitter story behind this poem while writing was actually how our so called fathers year in, year out waste away our (their children)'s futures till they breathe their last without shame or remorse as they go on wasting their money or wealth on only transient things . I am very particular about the Awori People/
 |
| ...Completely lost to the lyrical tunes of their local poets. |
They waste their money....
Did you say they are so penniless
They cannot afford a bottle of honey?
No! They were the most affluent,
But they waste their money.
Did I hear they are so helpless
They cannot feed their concubines?
No! They were the wealthiest,
But they waste their money.
Are they really indigent
Their children cannot go to school?
No! They were the richest,
But they waste their money.
They claim they own this Lagoon
And yet treated like strangers.
But No! They were the most influential,
Only that they care not and waste their money.
Can I ever believe they are so crippled
Their bad roads failed all repairs?
No! They always look on, wasting their money,
And wait for Aso-Rock to mend.
Ah! Are they really pauperized
They can’t ever trade themselves out of darkness?
“Oh Yes…Alausa knows our plight!”
That is what they are waiting for.
Deadly flood threatens to plague their lives,
Yet, they sit on the fence,
Wasting their money
And blame their chairmen.
Their glittering sky-scrapers
Are surrounded by slummy ghettos,
Yet, they are so indifferent, wasting their money,
And cry foul of T-I-N-U-U-B-U!
Waite a minute! Are they really bad?
Maybe (not)! But they sell and resell their lands,
And must claim (Omo-Onile) dues,
Completely lost to the lyrical tunes of their local poets.
On those senseless murderous affairs,
They waste their money.
Wines, women, pursuit of night-clubs,
And funeral parties of their fallen kinsmen.
They go on wasting their money,
Their time, their lives wasting away,
Their status fading…
Yet, they never woke up,
From this gain-less extravagant slumber…
----by Adeola Goloba
©golobathepoet
"This poem appraised our society critically,in particular,the modern African people who are delighted in spending recklessly in the name of showing off their arrival.The pitiable condition I am experiencing now is that the concerned people in your poetic talking drums is that the drum is drumming to the deaf who are in the authorities/governments/
"Bard Goloba, without a modicum of doubt, your polemical versification of the apostles of ‘Lagos for show’ is as apposite as the sunset. Clinically dissected and empirically construed. The sons and daughters of the wild perforate sacred injunctions to honour the dead and the living with gluttonous lifestyles of feral parties to the detriment of their home front. The parties must go on while the mealtime lasts and their dingy hovels is a testament to a wretched mindset. You portrayed through your transparent lens, vividly capturing the crevices of Lagos megalopolis. My literary crusader, your steamy lines affirm your profound depth!! More fire, more fire!!!"...Onuchi Mark Onoruoiza
"Goloba da Poet... I raise a glass and give a thumbs up to another piece of literary craftmanship. A piece of genius cum socio-economic masterstroke addressing pitfalls in our daylight reality. Can't be better put... as always the NOBELs beckons."...Seth Ogungbe
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
TEARS OF A BLEEDING HEART
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| TEARS OF A BLEEDING HEART...the story of my Life! |
Hunnnm...too many hearts are constantly bleeding and wailing in this nation. The atmosphere is so tensed that the majority of our people have now seem to be nobody in the middle of nowhere. Or how else can one honestly describe the fate of a nation blessed with both inexhaustible human and material resources yet still struggle to happily grind between the two ends of sustenance? What a pity we have become preys and tools of mischievous manipulations in the hands of our own kinsmen and their Grotto Masters in foreign lands. Ooh! My heart bleeds as I speak...
I have not much here to say this time, for all that I should have said can be felt through THE TEARS OF A BLEEDING HEART and when you deeply scan through...STATE OF THE NATION [...excerpt from ASUU's Press Statement before embarking on "a total and indefinite strike" in December 2011, just about two weeks before the subsidy removal. See how insightful the Statement has been. And to think that the strike appears to be no urgent business of government in Nigeria at this time! What a shame! And under Nigeria's first PhD President!]...(Dr. Nduka Otiono)'Bassey Udo' and posted by one Mallami Kayode
 | ||
| UGONNA MADUEKE, ONE OF PETROLEUM MINISTER, ALLISON DEZEANE MADUEKE'S SONS ON-BOARD PRIVATE JET |
see link (http://www.talkofnaija.com/News/newsdetailsone.aspx?NewsId=556F3ED6-D9A6-480C-B206-701AC69750B7
Why Allison-Madueke Must Be Investigated Alongside
NNPC, PPPRA-Premium Times
Mrs Alison-Madueke can't be a judge in her own case. The central role being played by Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the probe of corruption charges against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) may have called to question the avowed commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to the fight against corruption in the country’s petroleum industry. The President, in his nationwide broadcast last Monday, restated the irrevocable commitment of his administration to tackling corruption as well as entrenching openness and accountability in the petroleum industry. As a demonstration of his commitment to those objectives, he said he would prioritise the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and implement the recommendations of the forensic audit on the operations of the NNPC, punishing all officials indicted for misconducts. To give effect to the presidential pronouncement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), acting on a directive by Mrs. Alison-Madueke, swooped on the NNPC and the PPPRA as well as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), carting away volumes of official documents relating to the controversial N1.34trillion fuel subsidy payments as well as other transactions undertaken by the agencies. The Minister also constituted two committees in her office headed by an independent auditor to review the KPMG and other audit reports on the NNPC and other parastatals in the ministry as well as undertake a comprehensive review of the management and controls within those parastatals. But analysts believe that by taking a lead in the probe, Mrs Alison-Madueke, has put the entire investigation to question. A Benin City-based civil society group, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) stated the obvious when it faulted the role Mrs, Alison-Madueke has assumed in the probes, describing it as absurd and a charade to fool Nigerians. "I find this absurd and cannot understand what is happening in this country anymore,” ANEEJ Executive Director, David Ugolor, said in a statement. “It is an irony that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, whose ministry is accused of corruption is the same person setting up the probe into her ministry. What will come out of such a probe?” Mr. Ugolor continued, “The Minister is trying to be a judge in her own case. Nigerians cannot be fooled by this charade. It is in her interest for her to step aside for an independent body to look into the books she supervised. Our view is against the backdrop of allegations by the National Assembly that the Petroleum Ministry paid out more billions of Naira on PMS subsidy than was approved for it in the 2011 budget.” Indeed, very serious corruption allegations have swirled around the minister in the past year, which appear to have strengthened argument by some Nigerians that she lacked the moral fibre to superintend over any probe of the oil and gas sector. Last year, NEXT, one of Nigeria’s most respected newspapers, ran a series of investigative reports that linked the minister herself to monumental corruption. The government is yet to act on those allegations. In one of those reports, titled “Oil minister, her jeweller and their sweetheart deal”, the Minister was said to have discretionally licensed one Christopher Aire, a 47-year-old United States-based Nigerian celebrity jewellery designer and merchant, to be lifting crude oil. Mr Aire’s company, Solid 21 Incorporated, which dealt strictly in jewellery and wristwatches, did not meet any of the criteria spelt out in the guidelines for prospective crude oil lifters. But, between July 9 and July, 2010, he incorporated two companies, Siseno Oil Nigeria Limited, as well as Caligeria Oil Limited. Both companies were to undertake the businesses of petroleum products sales and distribution. A month after the no-address companies were incorporated, the minister reportedly directed the Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD), the NNPC division in charge of crude oil marketing, to approve crude oil lifting contracts to them to lift 60,000 barrels of crude per day. That was done in clear violation of laid down guidelines requiring companies interested in lifting Nigerian crude to be bona fide end users, with established reputation as large volume traders with global network for at least three years. In another report also published by NEXT, and entitled “Oil minister in N2.2b bribery scandal”, the minister’s name was mentioned in an elaborate scam which forced marketers to pay huge bribes in exchange for petroleum products import license by the PPPRA. There was also the allegation that she unilaterally assigned prospecting rights in some state-owned lucrative blocks to some briefcase companies without open and competitive bidding. Irked by these allegations, for which government failed to act, a Lagos-based lawyer, Bartholomew Aguegbodo, sued the minister at a Federal High Court in Lagos. See Lawyer sues Allison-Madueke and “Last minute oil deals that cost Nigeria dear”. Yet, there are several other allegations for which the minister has to answer questions. So, it appears bizarre that as tainted as she is by these allegations, the government has asked her to lead the effort to clean up the NNPC in particular, and the industry in general. If government wants to be taken seriously in its bid to enthrone corruption in the industry, it must first probe Mrs. Alison-Madueke herself. It is only when she is found to be clean that she should be allowed to lead the reform of a sector fraught with monumental corruption.
Mrs Alison-Madueke can't be a judge in her own case. The central role being played by Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the probe of corruption charges against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) may have called to question the avowed commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to the fight against corruption in the country’s petroleum industry. The President, in his nationwide broadcast last Monday, restated the irrevocable commitment of his administration to tackling corruption as well as entrenching openness and accountability in the petroleum industry. As a demonstration of his commitment to those objectives, he said he would prioritise the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and implement the recommendations of the forensic audit on the operations of the NNPC, punishing all officials indicted for misconducts. To give effect to the presidential pronouncement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), acting on a directive by Mrs. Alison-Madueke, swooped on the NNPC and the PPPRA as well as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), carting away volumes of official documents relating to the controversial N1.34trillion fuel subsidy payments as well as other transactions undertaken by the agencies. The Minister also constituted two committees in her office headed by an independent auditor to review the KPMG and other audit reports on the NNPC and other parastatals in the ministry as well as undertake a comprehensive review of the management and controls within those parastatals. But analysts believe that by taking a lead in the probe, Mrs Alison-Madueke, has put the entire investigation to question. A Benin City-based civil society group, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) stated the obvious when it faulted the role Mrs, Alison-Madueke has assumed in the probes, describing it as absurd and a charade to fool Nigerians. "I find this absurd and cannot understand what is happening in this country anymore,” ANEEJ Executive Director, David Ugolor, said in a statement. “It is an irony that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, whose ministry is accused of corruption is the same person setting up the probe into her ministry. What will come out of such a probe?” Mr. Ugolor continued, “The Minister is trying to be a judge in her own case. Nigerians cannot be fooled by this charade. It is in her interest for her to step aside for an independent body to look into the books she supervised. Our view is against the backdrop of allegations by the National Assembly that the Petroleum Ministry paid out more billions of Naira on PMS subsidy than was approved for it in the 2011 budget.” Indeed, very serious corruption allegations have swirled around the minister in the past year, which appear to have strengthened argument by some Nigerians that she lacked the moral fibre to superintend over any probe of the oil and gas sector. Last year, NEXT, one of Nigeria’s most respected newspapers, ran a series of investigative reports that linked the minister herself to monumental corruption. The government is yet to act on those allegations. In one of those reports, titled “Oil minister, her jeweller and their sweetheart deal”, the Minister was said to have discretionally licensed one Christopher Aire, a 47-year-old United States-based Nigerian celebrity jewellery designer and merchant, to be lifting crude oil. Mr Aire’s company, Solid 21 Incorporated, which dealt strictly in jewellery and wristwatches, did not meet any of the criteria spelt out in the guidelines for prospective crude oil lifters. But, between July 9 and July, 2010, he incorporated two companies, Siseno Oil Nigeria Limited, as well as Caligeria Oil Limited. Both companies were to undertake the businesses of petroleum products sales and distribution. A month after the no-address companies were incorporated, the minister reportedly directed the Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD), the NNPC division in charge of crude oil marketing, to approve crude oil lifting contracts to them to lift 60,000 barrels of crude per day. That was done in clear violation of laid down guidelines requiring companies interested in lifting Nigerian crude to be bona fide end users, with established reputation as large volume traders with global network for at least three years. In another report also published by NEXT, and entitled “Oil minister in N2.2b bribery scandal”, the minister’s name was mentioned in an elaborate scam which forced marketers to pay huge bribes in exchange for petroleum products import license by the PPPRA. There was also the allegation that she unilaterally assigned prospecting rights in some state-owned lucrative blocks to some briefcase companies without open and competitive bidding. Irked by these allegations, for which government failed to act, a Lagos-based lawyer, Bartholomew Aguegbodo, sued the minister at a Federal High Court in Lagos. See Lawyer sues Allison-Madueke and “Last minute oil deals that cost Nigeria dear”. Yet, there are several other allegations for which the minister has to answer questions. So, it appears bizarre that as tainted as she is by these allegations, the government has asked her to lead the effort to clean up the NNPC in particular, and the industry in general. If government wants to be taken seriously in its bid to enthrone corruption in the industry, it must first probe Mrs. Alison-Madueke herself. It is only when she is found to be clean that she should be allowed to lead the reform of a sector fraught with monumental corruption.
Comments:
Mallami Kayode Oil Minister Double Standards: Photos Of Son’s Private Jet Lifestyle
Mallami Kayode Nigerian Government officials are like the proverbial Leopard incapable of changing its spots.
DailyPost Nigeria has obtained photos of Nigeria Oil Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke’s sons, living like Kings in America, complete with private jet travel, luxury ship vacations, frolicking with local and international superstars such as Dbanj, Neyo and Cecil Hammond.
Harold Abbey Akinleye Mallami Kayode, I think Olisa or someone else said during the protest that when you get to Abuja Airport, it is filled with private jets, haba
Mallami Kayode Alagba Oluomo Bolaji Popoola, ko si eni rere ninu awon to ndari wa ni orilede Nonjeria.
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
Grooving or pigging out? You are seeing a gluttonous and ravenous pig who may never have worked all his life. He is busy getting fat and dying by installment through conspicuous consumption. We see them here in America all too often. When t...See More
Mallami Kayode Harold Abbey Akinleye, yes it was Olisa Agbakoba that said it. Truelly, if you go to Abuja Airport, it is filled up with private jets from ministers, governors, Pastors and many other looters like Dangote and Otedola.
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju Oh, Lest I forget. Seif Al Islam, Ghadaffi's son frolicked with Marian Carey et all, where is he today? I do not envy these lazy drones. Let them enjoy their lives of "happiness", I will enjoy my life of meaning. Choose one!
Wednesday at 4:18pm ·
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Babatunde Adeboye More private jets in Abuja, but no single National carrier... Wow, giant of Africa indeed.
Michael Williams I think GEJ should dissolve his entire cabinet, and probe everyone responsible for the whole mess, and bring them to justice. Diezani Alison-Madueke should be probe and stand trial if suspected of any wrong doing. The committee to pbobe should be an independent adjudicator led by a civil right Lawyer, and Judges
Michael Williams @Aderogba ....... Did you say, Nigeria is a poor country? I will say you are wrong. Margaret Thatcher one said, If she's allowed to rule Nigeria for 8 years, Nigeria will be greater than Great Britain. Name any Mineral Resources Nigeria don't have.
And name of course best leaders looters Nigeria don't have?
Nigeria is a Very rich country, but ordinary Citizens living below poverty level. It makes my heart bleeds.
Michael Williams @Makinde ....... I know, but Nigeria own are just too much. Nigeria politics means rule and loot the treasury. It's so wrong. You rule to make life of Citizens better. Nigeria resources can look after the whole Africa. But, Nigeria leadership make the country look like Beggars.
Aderogba Yahaya Adeniji did nigeria leaders understand the value of the resources you made mentioned.when the leaders of a country is poor upstairs then the nation is as poor as ......
Olayinka Fafolahan No be there fault ............ke. if we poor people start attacking ..from Chairman of local Govt .to Minister . murdering them in Cold-Blood every one Government official will adjust fast
Tobby Odedina @Mallami..... there is not need to raise curse on these set of people bcos they are raising the curse on themselves already. Irrespective of how much the riches they keep is, THEIR KIDS WILL NEVER LIVE TO MEET ANYTHING FROM IT. AMENNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!
Oguns Clinton Nigerians should begin to agitate now and the agitation should be done loudly too purposely to prevent these evil creatures from emptying the common wealth at the wrong time.
Oguns Clinton The government always complain that the country is not making enough money to build a better Nigeria! The question is, the money and the loot carpeted by the few known looters in our midst are derived from where....? may be from the sea!
Oguns Clinton Nigerians should wake up and begin to use their voting power rightly and wisely. We voted these men into office for them to represent us appropriately and not for them to come and eat us and our country's economy into a skeletal state. Nigerians wake-up......
Oguns Clinton Nigeria is over-blessed to be termed a pauper country. Our leaders should be a little professional with the economy. We have got all that it takes to dominate and to move the world.
Mark Bamidele Africanmirror @ Bamidele Ademola. You have said it all. Non of their children has a place in this generation. They are using stolen wealth to destroy their kids. They might be richer than us with gota money but we are more intelligent than them. Let us wait and see how it will end
Ooh! My heart bleeds as I speak...I cried...and cried...and cried as I shamefully and em-pathetically ran through the also bleeding heart of a fellow beloved brother, Akin Al-Ameen...
"...These career looters have turn our country to a comedy channel in the eyes of GOD. And the Angels in heaven always tune to channel 234 whenever they want to laugh. To see these heartless leaders who lack the fear of GOD. How they share our money and laugh among themselves. How they go to churches and mosques forgetting GOD cannot be fooled. The greatest thieves are these leaders who steal billions of money with pen. These fools are obsessed with power and material things of life.
Their own definition of ruling is looting. To secure the lifes of
their unborn children with uncountable billions of stolen dollars in
foreign accounts. The greed in their hearts has blinded their sight.The
cry and pain of the masses have no meaning to them. So many fake
promises. So many dead dreams while the dreamer is still alive. One of the
most painful things in life is to wait indefinitely with no sign of
hope at sight. The youths graduates every year from school with no hopes
for job. It's not what you know that matters anymore but who you know. For over 50 years the
story is still the same. So many people are forced into a slavery journey
of no return. While other countries are already fighting for animal
rights.
These people take our human rights and throw it away. To lead is
to serve. Leadership is a sacrifice, a commitment, a hope, a love, a
promise and a security. Leaders instill in their people a hope of
success. A leader should be faithful, loyal, transparent and be sensitive
to pains of his people.Whatever makes them happy should be his
priority. A leader surround himself with real people who tells him what
he needs to know and not what he wants to hear. Real leaders don't fight
for power. They are not enticed or controlled by material things of
life. Real leaders don't impose, they dialogue before taking actions.
You
cannot force kindness on people if they don't want it.You can only have
power over people as long as you don't take everything away from
them. But when you 've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer under
your power, he's free again.You don't need a lot of securities around you
if you are truly loved by people and ruling with the fear of GOD. It's just so funny
how people change at the touch of power and cash. Before elections. They
tell us they are the MESSIAH sent by GOD. They sing to us the songs our
hearts want to hear. So many stories and actions of make believe, but
after the election the story will change. They get to Abuja and got
carried away (by the all-tempting and sparkling affluent of ASO PALACE) .
They come up with different grammars and stories to enrich themselves. Never add to the agony of a poor man if you can't take his sorrows away. It's very very hard to know the pain of hunger when you and your kids have never ever went to bed hungry with no hopes of food the following morning. The ultimate measure of a man's character is how he deals with a person who cannot fight him back....."
(Akin Al-Ameen)
Her noble soul is so pale and weak
Oh! My heart bleeds so...as I speak
What paradox how her trust's been cunningly jaded
Hunnnnm....honestly I do have a strong faith that one day, we would definitely come back stronger as a nation...but still my heart bleeds endlessly and I am not sure if this fragile heart will not drop dead before MIRACLE comes to stop these TEARS OF A BLEEDING HEART...
They come up with different grammars and stories to enrich themselves. Never add to the agony of a poor man if you can't take his sorrows away. It's very very hard to know the pain of hunger when you and your kids have never ever went to bed hungry with no hopes of food the following morning. The ultimate measure of a man's character is how he deals with a person who cannot fight him back....."
(Akin Al-Ameen)
TEARS OF A BLEEDING HEART
Her fragile soul is constantly aching
As it keeps on sinking deep into aging
Her tender heart never stops breaking
For the pirate's poisonous axe will not cease abating
Her noble soul is so pale and weak
Oh! My heart bleeds as I speak
'Coz her golden treasures's been ceased by evil hands...
(Her fellow kinsmen 'n' their grotto masters in foreign lands)
Oh! My heart bleeds so...as I speak
'Coz her soul is so pale and weak
How her milky wells are running dry
While she keeps on writhing in pains 'n' cry
What paradox how her trust's been cunningly jaded
How her dignity stripped 'n' greedily traded
Just for a single trinklet 'n' transcient tinsels
By the ones she thought were her Guardian Angels
Her heart keeps on breaking without caution
She cannot fight back...she has no option
Seeing their filthy lifestyles drives her crazy
While she strives hard to live 'n' not lazy
Oh! My heart bleeds so as I speak
'Coz her very fragile soul is so pale 'n' weak
What will stop the tears of this bleeding heart,
Is there no more miracle here on earth?
--- Goloba Adeola
--- Goloba Adeola
Hunnnnm....honestly I do have a strong faith that one day, we would definitely come back stronger as a nation...but still my heart bleeds endlessly and I am not sure if this fragile heart will not drop dead before MIRACLE comes to stop these TEARS OF A BLEEDING HEART...
©golobathepoet 2012
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