Update: Obasanjo/IMF: Call for Signatures
Umez (Africanson)
As at this morning, 7.30 a.m., August 12, 1999, we have gathered
140 Signatures from Nigerians all over the world. Please check
the list for your names as you sent them to me. Once again, on
behalf of those who have signed this petition, and those who are
yet to sign, I thank you. The motion to extend the deadline by 2
days (made by Dr. Odunukwe yesterday) is not yet finalized
because I have not contacted all the newspapers considering the
publication of this petition. As such, our deadline is still
tomorrow. Please sign this petition either because you agree
with its conclusion or because of the reasons outlined in the
petition or because of both. Do not let arguments over semantics
detract your attention from the major premise of this petition;
after all, it is only natural that no one is perfect and no one
can please everybody. Kindly pass on the petition to your
Nigerian friends/forums/discussion groups. Together, we will
move Nigeria forward. Be blessed mightily, and thanks again!
Umez
--------------
Fellow Country Men and Women,
The letter below is an attempt to stop our present
government
from taking $1 billion loan from the IMF. If you agree with
the
basic points raised in this letter (or agree with the
conclusion
that Nigeria should not take the loan), kindly let your
voice by
heard by adding your name to the list. Alternatively, you
can
simply ask me to add your name using my e-mail address
<bu...@lee.edu>.
As you know, we are now in a democracy, and for it to work
properly, we have to utilize some democratic means, e.g.,
writing
letters to our government officials to voice our concerns.
Please distribute this letter widely – to your friends,
forums
and groups you belong (even if you disagree with the major
premise of this mail::)) The letter will be mailed by
August 13,
1999.
Thanks for participation and be blessed.
---------The Letter Begins--------
August 6, 1999
To: President Obasanjo, Federal Republic of Nigeria
c/o Nigerian Embassies in USA, Russia, Canada, UK, France,
Saudi
Arabia,
Switzerland, Germany, Italy
Your Excellency,
Re: Reject $1 billion IMF Offer
To say that concerned Nigerians were (and still are) in
shock
following the report [Reuters, July 22, 1999], that "a
visiting
International Monetary Fund delegation had offered a $1
billion
cushioning facility for short-term economic help" to Nigeria
is
an understatement. So many Nigerians are visibly
disappointed
because our core problem is not necessarily lack of money;
it is
mostly misappropriation of public funds by some of our
leaders.
In fact, your promise to stop corruption in Nigeria
demonstrates
a general understanding of this core problem. Please permit
us
to briefly illustrate our points.
Misappropriation of Funds
In November, 1998, we learnt that "the family of Nigeria's
late
dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha has handed back to the government
more
than $750 million in state funds illegally amassed by the
former
leader," and that "others in Abacha's government also
siphoned
money from the state to amass personal fortunes." According
to
the then finance minister, Anthony Ani, "Abacha's national
security adviser, Ismail Gwarzo, channeled about $1.3
billion
worth of foreign reserves into private accounts." [JET, Nov.
1998; AP, Nov. 10, 1998].
In June, this year [1999], we also learnt that Your
Excellency
"fired 29 top officers from the military and seized hundreds
of
millions of dollars from associates of the late dictator
Gen.
Sani Abacha," and that a "new law published in a special
government gazette authorized the immediate seizure of more
than
$420 million in a petroleum refinery, including $140 million
held
by Abacha's former national security adviser, Ibrahim
Gwarzo."
[AP, June 9, 1999].
This month, August, 1999, we received the following report:
"Abubakar's government said that more than $1 billion of
missing
state funds and illegally acquired property had been
recovered
from the aides and family of the late dictator," and that
"another $2.5 billion was siphoned over a deal involving
debts
owed Russian firms for work on a giant steel complex in
central
Nigeria." [Reuters, August 1, 1999].
As you know, these three examples of recoveries are just a
drop
of water in the ocean of public funds stolen from Nigerian
people
by some of their leaders who were supposed to take care of
the
people. As a matter of fact, there are several Abachas and
Gwarzos still
in Nigeria today, starving millions of Nigerians to death.
Therefore, all that is needed is for Your Excellency to (a)
ensure that all current and future funds are directed
towards the
upliftment of the long suffering and teeming Nigerian
people,
and (b) continue recovering all the stolen/embezzled funds
from
our treasury, and have them INVESTED IN Nigeria. In fact,
the
news [Reuters, August 1, 1999] that "Nigeria has decided to
file
a suit against the family of late dictator Sani Abacha over
state
funds missing in a $2.5 billion debt buy-back deal," and
that you
"had taken an interest in a suit filed against Abacha's
estate in
a London court by a Swiss-based businessman, Nessim D. Goan,
over
the deal," is quite refreshing.
In addition to misappropriation of funds, let us consider
its
twin enemy, namely, illegally amassed millions of Nigerian
funds
in foreign countries.
Nigerian Funds in Foreign Banks
Your Excellency, there is concrete evidence pointing to the
fact
that illegally amassed millions of Nigerian funds are in
private
bank accounts in foreign countries. Just consider the
following:
"Two prominent Nigerians arrested over an alleged deal to
try to
transfer $100 million from Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation to the United States." Daily Times, June 24,
1996 (as
posted to Naijanet -- Nigerian Information Network, June 24,
1996).
This is shocking; but, Your Excellency, there is more:
"We at the Citibank had a large account deposited FROM
NIGERIA
(our emphasis). When the Nigerian government changed hands
in a
military coup, some of the new authorities came to claim the
money of someone in the previous regime. They were NASTY
THUGS
(emphasis mine). We called the police, and the police did
some
checking. They came back to me the next day and said, ‘Mr.
Dessauer, you don’t have to worry about these fellows
anymore.’
We put them on a plane to Nigeria and told the Nigerian
embassy
if they ever tried this stunt again we would send all
Nigerians
home." [Statements by John Dessauer, the former top Citibank
official (Swiss branch), as quoted in THE NIGERIAN, May,
1996, p.
3.]
Mr. President, how can one explain this behavior of such
leaders
who steal our funds only to deposit them in foreign banks
owned
by those who consider them "THUGS" while millions of their
own
people are dying of malnutrition and inadequate medical
care. To
us, the undersigned, this kind of behavior makes no sense.
In
fact, it is this kind of behavior that makes some people
consider
several countries in Africa "underdeveloped" because if
their
leaders are really "developed," they should not be robbing
their
own people only to pay outsiders/those who call them the
"most
corrupt thugs" in the world, as in this case:
"Nigeria is the most corrupt nation in the world," according
to
Transparency International [Houston Chronicle, July 28,
1996, p.
2E].
It might be instructive, to add, at this juncture, a recent
media
report [July, 1999] that "N1.605 billion has been allocated
to
the elected members of the National Assembly, allegedly for
the
purpose of 'furnishing' their residential quarters." Your
Excellency, this does not sound
right to a nation that is ready to borrow money. If Nigeria
really needs this $1 billion loan from the IMF, this kind of
lavish spending is obviously not a good example of how to
manage
the country's meager resources.
Before conclusion, it must be emphasized, Your Excellency,
that
Swiss leaders, American leaders, Japanese leaders, Canadian
leaders, German leaders, French leaders, and the leaders of
other
progressive countries DO NOT have [illegal] bank accounts in
Nigeria; they do not have mansions in Nigeria. But so many
Nigerian leaders/elite not only have huge bank accounts, and
mansions in those countries, but are proud to have them.
Why is
this the case? As Your Excellency reflects upon this
question,
we are pleading with you and your administration to borrow
this
basic principle that charity begins at home from the leaders
of
the
progressive countries where most of our leaders/elite
shamelessly
run for medical check-up (when they have enough money to
build
such caliber of hospitals at home).
Conclusion
Mr. President, we DO NOT need the loan from the IMF. What
we
need in our government are MEN AND WOMEN OF GOOD MORALS and
CONSCIENCE
to
(a) help you stop corruption as you promised, (b) recover
the
stolen funds from the rogues disguised as leaders/elite, and
(c)
invest them wisely, properly and equitably IN NIGERIA as
supposed.
For your administration to excel, our present leaders/elite
must
start investing Nigerian resources in Nigeria because
investment
is the key to progress. If you stand by your promise (of
stamping
out corruption in Nigeria), recover the loots from the
rouges,
and have them invested in Nigeria, there will be no need to
borrow a single kobo from the IMF; in fact, some other
countries
will be borrowing from us.
May God bless Nigeria and be with you in your efforts to
change
Nigeria for better.
Your Sincere Compatriots,
1) Bedford Nwabueze Umez, Ph.D., USA
2) Eze, Mercy
3) Charles Amako, USA
4) Smart Madu Ajaja, USA
5) Rotimi Ogunsuyi
6) Ovo I. Dafe
7) Esther Garber, Canada
8) Hyginus Chukwu, Ph. D., USA
9) Kene Okezie Ufondu, UK
10)Chris.Onuorah
11)Sunny Azubuike
12)Steven S. Kueberuwa
13)Ganiyu Jaiyeola, Ph. D., USA
14) Ignatius Okafor
15) Paul Olatoye
16)Ebube Odunukwe, MD., Maryland, USA
17)Oladehinde Idowu, Germany
18)Cecilia Ilo
19)Christiana Orjiako
20)Hycenth Nwokedi
21)'Wale Adewumi, FL USA
22)Abdulkareem B. Adinoyi, Saudi Arabia
23)Emman Olufemi Keku, MD, MSPH; USA
24)Leke Adeofe
25)Oluwole Alle
26)Dr. Balogun Fatai Akintunde
27)Olusegun A. Ojewuyi, USA
28)Ayotunde M. Giwa , New York, USA
29)chuck Obidimma USA
30)AG Ahmed, MB, Canada
31)Kunle Adegboye
32)Emeka C. Obi JD (USA)
33)Mukhtar Dan'Iyan, UK
34)Eric Umeh, Dallas, USA
35)Bitrus Paul Gwamna
36)Dr. David Adewuyi, USA
37)Forster Obianagu
38)Prince Olabode Ajose
39)Sir Prince R.O.Okeke-Anyichie,M.B.A(Omenyi) USA
40)Samuel Owolabi, USA
41)Noble Chima , USA
42)Uzoma Onyemaechi, USA
43)Abi Olowe, Ph.D., USA
44)Janet Nduka
45)Surajudeen Adewusi, KSA
46)Basil N. I. Mbah, Houston, USA
47)Godwin Nwoke
48)Atty. Tola Oresusi, Houston, U.S.A.
49)Ona Ositadinma, Belgium
50)Osoteku Segun, Nigeria
51)Virtus C. Igbokwe, Canada
52)Taofiq Abiola, Saudi-Arabia
53)Wale Adewoyin, NY USA
54)Johnson Obi
55)Nnamdi Oziri
56)Preye Okosi
57)Balarabe Yushau, Saudi Arabia
58)George Mbata
59)Ikechukwuka Oguocha, Canada
60)Obaje, O. J., Malaysia
61)Harrison Enemuo
62)Fidelis Atuegbu
63)Rotimi Mebude, Ph.D, Edinburgh, UK
64)Shaibu Bala Garba S/Arabia
65)Oyejola Isiba, USA
66)Paul D. Ocheje, Ph.D.,Toronto, Canada
67)Obiajulu Odu, Norway
68)Olubunmi Usim-Wilson U.S. A
69)Edwin Okonkwo
70)Emeka Okafor
71)Anny Ojekwe
72)Mrs Patricia Nsoedo
73)Sopuruchi Okeke Ewo. USA
74)Emeka Okeke Ewo. USA
75)Chinaye Okeke Ewo. UK
76)Emopin Ayenuro-Lawrence
77)Elias O. Udechime USA
78)A. Robert Mbama, USA
79)Ifeanyi Rich Chime
80)Nnamdi Onyekwere, Baltimore, USA
81)Clement I. Anekwe, Ph. D.
82)Charles Okoye, Chicago, USA
83)Nick Aniagu, USA
84)Chief Olumide Mayungbe
85)Victor I. Okafor, PhD., USA
86)George Umeh
87)Adigun A.E. Ajayi. P.hD.
88)Osimua Aleobua, Republic of South Africa
89)Gbenga Babalola, USA
90)Timothy Alapo, Ph.D.
91)Kenneth Nweke, LA, USA
92)Godson C. Nwokogu, Ph.D., VA, USA
93)George Chima, USA
94)Emeka C. Okafor, USA
95)Godwin Nwadiashi, USA
96)Akon Ate, B.S., M.P.H., USA
97)kemo Anyaegbuna Dallas, Texas, USA
98)Vincent Ehiaghe, PRETORIA SA
99)AG Ahmed, MB, Canada
100)Dr. Richard Nwachukwu
101)Mark A. Okoronkwo, Damascus, Syria
102)Agbelogode E. Napoleon
103)Engr. Anthony Ehi Osagie
104)Akin Awofolaju,PhD.,Moscow-Russia
105)Atty. James O. Okorafor, Houston, USA
106)Solomon Nkwocha, Project Elec. Engr., USA
107)Adeyanju, Charles, Canada
108)Basil Ubanwa, Ph.D. USA
109)Chris Ogbuehi, CPA., USA
110)Edmond Umeh, Dallas, USA
111)Placidus Amama,Yokohama Nat'l Uni., Japan
112)Linus Eneh, Dallas, USA
113)Olukayode OJO
114)Imeh Inyang, Canada
115)Dr Francis Akenami, Helsinki, Finland
116)Florence Nwankwo, Belgium
117)Olatunde Olusesi, USA
118)Babalola Olalekan, Washington, DC
119)Larry Musa, USA
120)Achi Eric Egwuibe, ACA, Nigeria
121)Ebenezer O. Mayaki, Naqoura, Lebanon
122)Ambrose Ezemma, NY
123)Mary Ibiam
124)Tosin Famurewa, CA USA
125)Abiodun Olusesi, North Carolina, USA
126)Kenechukwu U. Obikwelu
127)Adebowale Matthew Ajose
128)Damien Ejigiri, Ph.D., Baton Rouge, USA
129)Engr. Simon C. M. Iberosi, USA
130)Michael 'Sanya Arigbede, California, USA
131)Acho Orabuchi, Ph.D., USA
132)Adekunle Ogunniyi (LAFRO), Boston, USA
133)Olubusola Ogunniyi, Boston,USA
134)Olayiwola Ogunnmokun, Providence, USA
135)Jay O. Oji, MAI, Dallas, USA
136)Bernard .B. Ugwu, Houston, U.S.A.
137)Emmanuel A. Oduah Ph.D. USA
138)Michael Adabanya, ACA, Nigeria
139)Osedum P. Igumbor, Zimbabwe
140)Olusola Ogunkoya, Nigeria