Some Nigerians have called on Yale University in the United States to withdraw the Honorary Degree it bestowed on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Okonjo-Iweala had been awarded Doctor of Humane Letters by the prestigious institution on May 15, 2015.
The institution, while presenting the award to Okonjo-Iweala, had said, “As a minister in your country, you made social and economic reforms your mission. As Nigeria’s coordinating minister of economic development and minister of finance, you have tackled corruption, created a vision and path to long-term economic stability, and worked to build a culture of transparency.”
However, a Nigerian, Sunday Iwalaiye, on Wednesday started an online petition on Change.Org, urging Nigerians to also sign the petition.
Checks showed that 22 hours after the petition was created, 2,500 people had signed it.
The petition stated that Okonjo-Iweala did not deserve the award, accusing her of being responsible for the harsh economic conditions the country is facing.
The petitioner wondered why Yale University would give an award to a minister under whose watch billions of dollars in oil money went missing.
Iwalaiye stated that corruption did not reduce under Okonjo-Iweala as claimed by the institution but reached unprecedented levels.
The petition read, “This citation from the Yale University does not reflect nor represent everything that has happened under the watch and the supervision of the Nigerian economy by Okonjo-Iweala as the nation’s finance minister.
“There is no tangible evidence of any economic development in Nigeria under the leadership of Okonjo-Iweala in all reality. Nigeria’s debt profile has risen rapidly under Okonjo-Iweala and Nigeria has borrowed over $2bn in the last four months alone to pay salaries of the federal and state civil servants.
“Our foreign reserves and excess crude oil accounts have both depleted heavily under Okonjo-Iweala. The recurrent expenditures in the federal budgets reached the highest levels which made capital development practically impossible in Nigeria under her.
“The true picture that Yale University missed is the fact that the economy of Nigeria has almost grounded to its final halt today which will make it a daunting task for the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari to meet its campaign promises.”
The petitioner wondered whether Yale University was rewarding Okonjo-Iweala for the $20bn oil money that went missing under her watch.
He said Yale University would be seen to be rewarding recklessness and criminality if it does not rescind the award given to the minister.
He added, “To give an honorary doctorate degree to an undeserving Nigerian by a world renowned university is the biggest slap on the faces of the 180 million Nigerians in 2015. I am using this social medium to appeal to the board of regents of this prestigious university to withdraw this honorary degree that they awarded to this Nigerian immediately and without any further delay for the sake of posterity.”
All Nigerians do not support the petition against Dr Ngozi. The petitioners in this case are very myopic inconsiderate.
ReplyDeleteDr Ngozi is not the cause of falling price of petrol. She is not the minister in charge of petroleum. She is not the cause of the many years of the lack of diversification in the economy. She is not the cause of ghost workers in all government departments over many years. She did not cause the lack of electric power as she is not in charge of the power ministry.
There is no need to blame Dr Ngozi for her contribution to nation building. She is only one person among many thousands of senior leaders in Nigeria. In fact, President Jonathan should take the blame for all problems in his administration.
She did not deserve the award. As a finance minister who allowed the nation's treasury to be depleted and wasted under her supervision. Jonathan believed that Ngo baby will help the administration to rebuild the nation and that was the basis of her appointment. She paid out so much money to fictitious companies and contractors without adequate supervision and verification on the level of job execution done by those companies. Together with the governors, they looted the treachery left behind by OBJ administration. Some few weeks back when Soludo accused her of mismanaging the nation's economy, she lied and said the economy is very buoyant but now when PDP lost the election she was saying another thing that the economy is now in shamble.
DeleteWell, It is not her fault, It is the fault of the university's management. Every body world wide knows that Nigeria's economy is in terrible mess due to the reckless spending and corrupt practices of the public office holders. So, why is the university conferring on her a honourary degree if not that they are happy with the way she has mismanaged the economy and plundering the nation into backwardness. It seems they are indirectly happy with the level of corruption in the land.
She deserve the award. So go and sit down
ReplyDeleteEvery countries has the same issue not only Nigeria okay , Malaysia has the same problem after the prices of oil change , Malaysia now put what they call GST to make sure there economy stand .
ReplyDeleteEvery countries has the same issue not only Nigeria okay , Malaysia has the same problem after the prices of oil change , Malaysia now put what they call GST to make sure there economy stand .
ReplyDeleteNigerians may just be showing the whole world their level of ignorance and myopic shallow mindedness. How many of you understand the criteria for giving such awards? The unfortunate thing is everyone is screaming 'crucify her' even those who will never, in as many lives as they're allowed to live,get anywhere near her qualifications and achievements.
ReplyDeleteWe need to wait for the new government to get installed and a new replacement works for sometime, before any meaningful comparative analysis can be done.
Agada and anonymous 6 55 just lil word for u guys may u and ur family forever deserve the dacadence okonjo iweala caused this nation AMEN.
ReplyDeleteNgozi has done the biding of the western world by making Nigeria's economy dependent on Europe and America through her rusty economic analysis and management that has plunged us into depression. Now, we have to run to them for assistance and aid under strenuous conditions and terms. This is a plus for Europe and America so as america's lap dog Ngozi deserve the Award... posterity will judge her and her generation...
ReplyDeleteDisgruntled and frustrated man. You are there picking holes. What have you done to alleviate common problems around you. Seeking for cheap and negative recognition by riding on the backs of malicious, bitter and inciting criticisms. Are you sure you will ever get to the top of great responsibility.
ReplyDeleteDisgruntled and frustrated man. You are there picking holes. What have you done to alleviate common problems around you. Seeking for cheap and negative recognition by riding on the backs of malicious, bitter and inciting criticisms. Are you sure you will ever get to the top of great responsibility.
ReplyDeleteWith all due regards OKonjo Iweala must be practicing Voodoo Economics in Nigeria . How better can you explain a World class Economist who helped us to sattled all our debt with 12B US dollars and after 8yrs of Economics managed by the same woman Nigeria is neck in debt with 60B US Dollar . This form of Economic Abracadabra does not deserve any local or International Award
ReplyDeleteDisgruntled and frustrated man. You are there picking holes. What have you done to alleviate common problems around you. Seeking for cheap and negative recognition by riding on the backs of malicious, bitter and inciting criticisms. Are you sure you will ever get to the top of great responsibility.
ReplyDeleteDisgruntled and frustrated man. You are there picking holes. What have you done to alleviate common problems around you. Seeking for cheap and negative recognition by riding on the backs of malicious, bitter and inciting criticisms. Are you sure you will ever get to the top of great responsibility.
ReplyDeleteDisgruntled and frustrated man. You are there picking holes. What have you done to alleviate common problems around you. Seeking for cheap and negative recognition by riding on the backs of malicious, bitter and inciting criticisms. Are you sure you will ever get to the top of great responsibility.
ReplyDeleteSo she is also justified for the depleted federal reserve and also stolen inflow from excess crude oil that runs up to $20b without blowing whistles?
ReplyDeleteAm sure some people are liars and they like being biased
I am very disappointed with the petitioners. Considering the contribution Dr okonjo has made to this country it will be unpatriotic to attribute the problems of this country to her. Anyone who understands economic dynamics of oil will rather appreciate the minister. Again she is not the president and can not bulk pass the president.
ReplyDelete