Lagarde [President of the IMF] had nothing specific to say about which ideas she thinks are most important—much less what compromises might be required, much less which specific countries, companies, or people might have to suffer to reach those compromises. Her speech was worse than tiresome. It was almost Orwellian in its vacuity. By its end, I couldn’t tell if the head of the International Monetary Fund was as stupid as she seemed or merely pretending to be stupid because she believes we have no right to hear what she really thinks. I am not sure which would be worse”- Alex Berenson
Now that the wool has been uncovered from Nigerian’s eyes, can we now agree that the voodoo economics from Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her band of travelers are not suited for our country? Can we all agree never to hire anyone from the Bretton Woods institutions to shepherd our economy? I mean never! In case you didn’t hear me I meant NEVER!
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) made many unforced errors during his inglorious 6 year reign over Nigerians, and perhaps the most glaring was the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala as the de facto Prime Minister-Coordinating Minister on the economy. A position unknown to the Nigerian constitution and any extant laws or statutes.
Before her appointment she had worked as managing director of World Bank. During her first stint as Minister of Finance under President Olusegun Obasanjo she was known as Madam Due Process and rode on the crest of Nigeria’s negotiated debt repayment, an exercise meant to repay Wall Street and Paris club for buying junk dubious debts owed by Nigeria’s corrupt prior administration, at the detriment of infrastructure developments and services to the poor Nigerian masses.
Ms. Okonjo-Iweala, along with her sidekick Oby Ezekwesili, drew huge salaries unknown under Nigerian civil service rules and regulation. They convinced their bosses that they can fix Nigeria’s economy by subjecting it to IMF’s failed policies and sophistries. We know better now. In 6 years, Ms. Okonjo-Iweala ran Nigeria’s economy to the ground. She looked the other way while many of GEJ ministers loot the economy. Her bid to convince State Governors to hand her their statutory allocations were roundly rejected by the Governor’s forum—including those elected under PDP. That crisis contributed in large measure to the eventual loss of GEJ in last month Presidential election.
Under her tenure, salaries of political appointees exploded beyond the stratosphere. Politicians awarded themselves humongous benefits and emoluments while the poor masses suffered in silence. She is walking out the door with a vaunted claim of managing the highest GDP in Africa, even while Nigerians remain at the lowest nadir of poverty index worldwide. She and her boss celebrate the number of private leased jets packed at Nigeria’s airports by rich Nigerians, while millions of Nigerian civil servants are being owed more than 5 months of salaries.
Why should we continue to listen these Bretton Woods prognosticators? They have failed everywhere they have been, but unfortunately our leaders continue to turn to them for ideas and policy direction. One can only hope that Buhari will not take the bait and will stay away from World Bank and IMF personnel when he get’s to pick his own economic management team.
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Tenisola Chukwuemeka
I just realized anyone who wants cheap popularity can just post any negative article on the Finance Minister and viral. The only place where such can take place is Nigeria where there are no checks in place to ensure that articles that pose a threat to a citizen’s
reputation should be banned and such writers prosecuted. However, we’re getting there gradually. -
Mark Thompson
Are Nigerians ever satisfied? The truth is you can’t please people. Regardless of your sacrifices, people will still find fault. An erudite scholar and thorough-bred professional with a track record of excellent performance through her career, her achievements are no mean feat. Hard as you try, you cannot soil her reputation.
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Annabel
Jobless bunch at it again! Whether the new government hires an IMF or World Bank person again or not will not change who Dr Okonjo-Iweala is in the economic circles that matter. I am beginning to think, with the massive influx of nonentities writing derogatory pieces that you guys have been paid to do so. Shame on you all.
-
odun
I guessed people are just jealous of NOI success stories,being the first female finance minister in Nigeria Professionally, DR Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attacks corruption to make the
country more desirable for investment and jobs, Professionally, this shrewd and highly successful Nigeria Economist,truly deserved this post, -
akinola
She is a Visionary leader,in
recognition of her many contribution to the economic and social development of
Nigeria,The coordinating Minister consistence commitment
to good cause and the Nigeria nations, Even Buhari cannot bring a better person than NOI,madam we hail you for job well done -
sarahcole
your opinion doesn’t matter,you this shameless man,why all this selfish talk,you should be ashamed,whether you like it or not,her works, achievement and her contribution to the economy growth is outstanding.
-
fati
What is the essence of this article? Okonjo Iweala is a worldclass economics who has done great things and have achieved so great in a such time.
-
fati
The fact that Okonjo Iweala worked at the World Bank does not mean she panders to them in any way. She may request technical assistance and help to ensure that the economy is piloted in the right way, but I don’t think that the IMF and World Bank would have the final say on the way the economy is structured.
-
Okukwe
The problem with Nigeria is not whether you hire so one from world bank or not, but the endemic corruption in the system. Imagine someone would have the time to put up a piece that is not useful for our infact democracy. That is corruption. And we stop blaming the international community for our problem. Okonjo Iweala has worked and should be commended.
-
Anioma
Relying on the information from the media is like drinking poision. People put up their baised opinion to critise destuctively people they know worked. But for one selfish reason or their other they want them out. Imagine this piece trying to discredit Okonjo Iweala because she worked at the World Bank. Can you imagine? How foolish this writer is? If she wasn’t that good would she have gotten to such position? Partisan writers should think twice to what they are doing to the future of their unborn children.
-
Saheed Amolini
We were thought in school to ask questions when we don’t understand something. There was no way she would have gotten to the level of working at the World Bank. The level of transparency witnessed in this administration as coordinated by the minister of finance, Dr
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is unparalleled which has never been seen in Nigeria. What
more can one ask for? This woman’s sophistry is just beyond ordinary may be that is why the average Nigerian cannot understand. Write with wisdom and not rubbish -
Adoma Nwaonu
Contrary to your assertion, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala did not at any
time lose her innocence. Her sterling character has stood the test of time. She gave her best to contain the unknown which was not planned for.
I just realized anyone who wants cheap popularity can just post any negative article on the Finance Minister and viral. The only place where such can take place is Nigeria where there are no checks in place to ensure that articles that pose a threat to a citizen’s
reputation should be banned and such writers prosecuted. However, we’re getting there gradually.
Are Nigerians ever satisfied? The truth is you can’t please people. Regardless of your sacrifices, people will still find fault. An erudite scholar and thorough-bred professional with a track record of excellent performance through her career, her achievements are no mean feat. Hard as you try, you cannot soil her reputation.
Jobless bunch at it again! Whether the new government hires an IMF or World Bank person again or not will not change who Dr Okonjo-Iweala is in the economic circles that matter. I am beginning to think, with the massive influx of nonentities writing derogatory pieces that you guys have been paid to do so. Shame on you all.
I guessed people are just jealous of NOI success stories,being the first female finance minister in Nigeria Professionally, DR Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attacks corruption to make the
country more desirable for investment and jobs, Professionally, this shrewd and highly successful Nigeria Economist,truly deserved this post,
She is a Visionary leader,in
recognition of her many contribution to the economic and social development of
Nigeria,The coordinating Minister consistence commitment
to good cause and the Nigeria nations, Even Buhari cannot bring a better person than NOI,madam we hail you for job well done
your opinion doesn’t matter,you this shameless man,why all this selfish talk,you should be ashamed,whether you like it or not,her works, achievement and her contribution to the economy growth is outstanding.
What is the essence of this article? Okonjo Iweala is a worldclass economics who has done great things and have achieved so great in a such time.
The fact that Okonjo Iweala worked at the World Bank does not mean she panders to them in any way. She may request technical assistance and help to ensure that the economy is piloted in the right way, but I don’t think that the IMF and World Bank would have the final say on the way the economy is structured.
The problem with Nigeria is not whether you hire so one from world bank or not, but the endemic corruption in the system. Imagine someone would have the time to put up a piece that is not useful for our infact democracy. That is corruption. And we stop blaming the international community for our problem. Okonjo Iweala has worked and should be commended.
Relying on the information from the media is like drinking poision. People put up their baised opinion to critise destuctively people they know worked. But for one selfish reason or their other they want them out. Imagine this piece trying to discredit Okonjo Iweala because she worked at the World Bank. Can you imagine? How foolish this writer is? If she wasn’t that good would she have gotten to such position? Partisan writers should think twice to what they are doing to the future of their unborn children.
We were thought in school to ask questions when we don’t understand something. There was no way she would have gotten to the level of working at the World Bank. The level of transparency witnessed in this administration as coordinated by the minister of finance, Dr
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is unparalleled which has never been seen in Nigeria. What
more can one ask for? This woman’s sophistry is just beyond ordinary may be that is why the average Nigerian cannot understand. Write with wisdom and not rubbish
Contrary to your assertion, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala did not at any
time lose her innocence. Her sterling character has stood the test of time. She gave her best to contain the unknown which was not planned for.
