…Says govt ‘ll not engage her in any public debate
THE Presidency has again taken a swipe at former Vice President, World Bank,
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, accusing her of inciting Nigerians against the Federal
Government, just as it stressed that her allegations were almost stupid and senseless.
THE Presidency has again taken a swipe at former Vice President, World Bank,
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, accusing her of inciting Nigerians against the Federal
Government, just as it stressed that her allegations were almost stupid and senseless.
Addressing newsmen
yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe,
noted that the former Minister of Education lied shamelessly by raising false
alarm on what she would have buttressed with figures, especially against the
backdrop of where she was coming from as an officer of the World Bank.
yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe,
noted that the former Minister of Education lied shamelessly by raising false
alarm on what she would have buttressed with figures, especially against the
backdrop of where she was coming from as an officer of the World Bank.
Okupe who said that
it was not true that the money was squandered as alleged, stressed that the
Federal Government was not run by proceeds from the external reserves, but what
the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, remits to the government and that which is
shared among the three tiers of government.
it was not true that the money was squandered as alleged, stressed that the
Federal Government was not run by proceeds from the external reserves, but what
the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, remits to the government and that which is
shared among the three tiers of government.
The Presidential
aide who dismissed calls for public debate with the Minister of Information,
Labaran Maku by Ezekwesili as a non-issue, said the government was not prepared
to engage her in such a debate, adding that as at January 22, this year, the
nation’s External Reserves stand at $45.3 billion, while in December 2012, it
was $43,830,418,364.91.
aide who dismissed calls for public debate with the Minister of Information,
Labaran Maku by Ezekwesili as a non-issue, said the government was not prepared
to engage her in such a debate, adding that as at January 22, this year, the
nation’s External Reserves stand at $45.3 billion, while in December 2012, it
was $43,830,418,364.91.
According to him,
in December 2007, the External Reserves was $51,333,152,495.79; in 2008
December, it was $53,000,355,063.51 and in December 2009, the reserves dropped
to $42,382,493,319.69; as at December 2010, it also dropped to
$32,339,252,389.10 and in 2011 December, it was $32, 639,777,078.09.
in December 2007, the External Reserves was $51,333,152,495.79; in 2008
December, it was $53,000,355,063.51 and in December 2009, the reserves dropped
to $42,382,493,319.69; as at December 2010, it also dropped to
$32,339,252,389.10 and in 2011 December, it was $32, 639,777,078.09.
It will be recalled
that Ezekwesili had alleged that government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua
and that of President Goodluck Jonathan had collectively squandered a total of
$67 billion from the country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves.
that Ezekwesili had alleged that government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua
and that of President Goodluck Jonathan had collectively squandered a total of
$67 billion from the country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves.
Nigeria’s foreign reserves as at Jan 22, 2013, stand at
$45.3bn
Okupe who noted that she was grandstanding and playing to the gallery, said,
“We find it surprising that after an extensive explanation by the Minister of
Information whereby facts were stated regarding the weighty and sweeping
statements made by Oby Ezekwesili, rather than cite the sources and establish
the credibility of her figures has decided to divert attention from the issues
she raised by calling for a National debate on issues that are not in
contention.
$45.3bn
Okupe who noted that she was grandstanding and playing to the gallery, said,
“We find it surprising that after an extensive explanation by the Minister of
Information whereby facts were stated regarding the weighty and sweeping
statements made by Oby Ezekwesili, rather than cite the sources and establish
the credibility of her figures has decided to divert attention from the issues
she raised by calling for a National debate on issues that are not in
contention.
“Ordinarily, the
call by Oby Ezekwesili for a National Debate with the Minister of Information
ought to have been ignored and allowed to fall flat. However, we are compelled
to respond in view of the penchant by some highly placed Nigerians who use
government offices to build up reputations for themselves and then later turn
on the same government to denigrate it, just to play to the gallery and incite
members of the public through dissemination of false, unsubstantiated and
malicious information.
call by Oby Ezekwesili for a National Debate with the Minister of Information
ought to have been ignored and allowed to fall flat. However, we are compelled
to respond in view of the penchant by some highly placed Nigerians who use
government offices to build up reputations for themselves and then later turn
on the same government to denigrate it, just to play to the gallery and incite
members of the public through dissemination of false, unsubstantiated and
malicious information.
“Rather than
substantiate her claims, Ezekwesili chooses conveniently to grandstand,
claiming that she will remain silent until “a responsible response” is given to
her demand on accountability. A more rational approach would have been for her,
being the accuser or Agent Provocateur to assume the responsibility of
providing the facts to back her claims.
substantiate her claims, Ezekwesili chooses conveniently to grandstand,
claiming that she will remain silent until “a responsible response” is given to
her demand on accountability. A more rational approach would have been for her,
being the accuser or Agent Provocateur to assume the responsibility of
providing the facts to back her claims.
“Ezekwesili alleged
that the government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and that of President
Goodluck Jonathan had collectively squandered a total of $67 billion from the
country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves. While Minister of Information has debunked
this statement as manifestly untrue and not based on any fact, we wish to
reiterate for the purpose of clarity as follows that:
that the government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and that of President
Goodluck Jonathan had collectively squandered a total of $67 billion from the
country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves. While Minister of Information has debunked
this statement as manifestly untrue and not based on any fact, we wish to
reiterate for the purpose of clarity as follows that:
“The money spent on
running the government is what the CBN remits to the Federation which is then
shared by the three tiers of government i.e. Federal, State and Local
Government.
running the government is what the CBN remits to the Federation which is then
shared by the three tiers of government i.e. Federal, State and Local
Government.
“The corresponding
allocation to the Federal Government based on the approved benchmark is then
dispensed by the Federal Government and the MDAs according to the items
specified and approved by the National Assembly in the budget of that year.
allocation to the Federal Government based on the approved benchmark is then
dispensed by the Federal Government and the MDAs according to the items
specified and approved by the National Assembly in the budget of that year.
“The unspent
balance plus income from other income from exports other than oil constitutes
the nation’s foreign reserve, a portion of which is kept as the excess crude
oil reserve. The latter is shared periodically by the three tiers of government
on need to spend basis.
balance plus income from other income from exports other than oil constitutes
the nation’s foreign reserve, a portion of which is kept as the excess crude
oil reserve. The latter is shared periodically by the three tiers of government
on need to spend basis.
“According to the
statement this office received from the CBN, it is factually incorrect to say
that the reserves of the government were dipped into or misapplied. It is
important to note that the Federal Government does not dip its hands into the
external reserves. External reserves are available for use in settling both
public and private sector foreign currency obligations of Nigeria.
statement this office received from the CBN, it is factually incorrect to say
that the reserves of the government were dipped into or misapplied. It is
important to note that the Federal Government does not dip its hands into the
external reserves. External reserves are available for use in settling both
public and private sector foreign currency obligations of Nigeria.
“Whenever a
ministry or agency of government needs to incur approved expenditures in
foreign currency (e.g. payment of goods and services, settlement of external
debt etc.) it must provide the naira equivalent to the Central Bank of Nigeria
before the bank sells the required foreign currency. The same applies to the
private sector.
ministry or agency of government needs to incur approved expenditures in
foreign currency (e.g. payment of goods and services, settlement of external
debt etc.) it must provide the naira equivalent to the Central Bank of Nigeria
before the bank sells the required foreign currency. The same applies to the
private sector.
“The management of
external resources (also known as foreign reserves) is one of the statutory
mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Section 2 sub-section (c) of the
CBN Act 2007 states that the Bank shall “maintain external reserves to
safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency”. Therefore,
foreign reserves are used to support a broad range of national objectives such
as defending the naira. It also serves as a buffer especially during periods of
crisis.
external resources (also known as foreign reserves) is one of the statutory
mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Section 2 sub-section (c) of the
CBN Act 2007 states that the Bank shall “maintain external reserves to
safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency”. Therefore,
foreign reserves are used to support a broad range of national objectives such
as defending the naira. It also serves as a buffer especially during periods of
crisis.
“The breakdown of
the country’s foreign reserve figures from the CBN which is the only custodian
banker of all our National Resources, is also herewith attached for all to see.
It shows quite clearly without ambiguity that Ezekwesili lied shamelessly by
publishing false figures. We challenge Oby to categorically state her own
source of information to authenticate her claims.
the country’s foreign reserve figures from the CBN which is the only custodian
banker of all our National Resources, is also herewith attached for all to see.
It shows quite clearly without ambiguity that Ezekwesili lied shamelessly by
publishing false figures. We challenge Oby to categorically state her own
source of information to authenticate her claims.
Ezekwesili should retract her statement and apologise to Nigerians
“It is obviously preposterous for Ezekwesili to be asking for a National debate
on the outlandish and reckless disinformation she made to incite the Nigerian
people against the government. This was a deliberately calculated, albeit
unsuccessful effort to bring the Jonathan’s administration into disrepute
unjustifiably.
“It is obviously preposterous for Ezekwesili to be asking for a National debate
on the outlandish and reckless disinformation she made to incite the Nigerian
people against the government. This was a deliberately calculated, albeit
unsuccessful effort to bring the Jonathan’s administration into disrepute
unjustifiably.
“I regret to say
that Ezekwesili should show dignity and character by letting the Nigerian
people, whom she sort out to fool, to know the source of her figures otherwise,
she should be honourable enough to retract her statement and apologize to the
government and people of Nigeria. Else, she should be regarded by all as a
willfully perjured individual not worthy of any respect or recognition
whatsoever.”
that Ezekwesili should show dignity and character by letting the Nigerian
people, whom she sort out to fool, to know the source of her figures otherwise,
she should be honourable enough to retract her statement and apologize to the
government and people of Nigeria. Else, she should be regarded by all as a
willfully perjured individual not worthy of any respect or recognition
whatsoever.”
Source: Vanguard
