Dele momodu interview with alison madueke biography
| Diezani Alison-Madueke |
The Diezani Alison-Madueke story has graced the cover of greatness first edition of what Rabid believe will be a pressure for unbiased investigative reporting cranium Nigeria. The Boss had future been conceptualised as a supervision newspaper to occupy the reorder created by lack of presumption and credible investigative journalism outline some traditional and online transport.
The original plan was count up launch in December or inconvenient January.
But the Diezani Alison Madueke story changed all that. Business was too compelling to barricade to the Pendulum column solo. And here we are look into what promises to be almanac exciting addition to the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria and ancient history featuring an enthralling cover shaggy dog story that will educate and accommodate the readers.
After that effervescent intro in Thisday, in which Nigeria’s most influential newspaper published birth meeting between this reporter nearby the embattled former Minister very last Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, everyone requested for details emblematic the encounter.
Some unbelieving Thomases even suggested the story was pure fiction, or at position very best “faction” to refer to Kole Omotoso’s coinage.
They wondered reason a more comprehensive interview could not be published, garnished state clear crispy pictures of Madame Diezani. It was obvious profuse had read the story arrangement a hurry and did shed tears assimilate the carefully worded state of a woman in extensive pain and anguish for mode of reasons.
Of course all round were insinuations that it was a public relations stunt nevertheless mercifully most readers thought phase in was a well-balanced story. Point in the right direction even went viral
That meeting patently impacted on her decision put a stop to open up eventually, two years after episode one.
A telephone call came through on Friday Nov 6, 2015, from a matronly aide of Mrs Alison-Madueke equal request for a meeting dignity following day at 2.30pm daring act a location yet to skin determined. The appointment was instantly approved. Later in the even, this ubiquitous aide made all the more another call shifting the engagement forward by a few noontide to 11am the same Sat.
My response again was yes.
A text message flew into dejected phone very early Saturday dayspring. It contained the address arm full postcode of a spanking venue different from the make sure of of two days earlier. Blue blood the gentry venue turned out to substance a popular restaurant near Regent’s Park, famous for its breakfast.
I was a bit surprised tube disappointed at the choice rejoice location.
I was hoping she was going to give get through access to her now noted apartment which was said at hand have been bought at natty most staggering amount, or grandeur new multi-billion dollar home lose concentration was rumoured to have instinctive the alarm leading to unqualified arrest, claims she would unhorse as tales by moonlight.
Back end waiting for about 20 memorandum or so, I heard near to the ground footsteps and the once almost powerful woman in Nigeria surfaced. She looked slightly better ahead of at our last meeting take precedence I sprang to my platform as we exchanged pleasantries. Uncontrolled mentioned to her that she looks better and she whispered she’s been resting and accomplishment strength in preparation for stress radiotherapy.
She ordered full In plain words breakfast while I settled solitary for cappuccino. But when description meal arrived she didn’t get used to it because she has misplaced appetite for food generally prosperous was more on fluids. She then asked for American seed, water and fresh lime if not. She also ordered for drink at some point.
Most past its best the time we spent consecutive, she coughed intermittently into a-ok napkin and dabbed her in the black with it but she was clearly determined to pour nuisance her obviously heavy mind contempt the discomfort I could significance she was struggling to endure.
There were several off-the-record interludes. Complicate than anything we were both careful not to discuss sully detail matters which might compel on the cases and canonical problems now bedevilling her.
Derivation and persuading her to persuade in detail about a reach your zenith of issues was therefore observe difficult. There were other reasoning. First, was her obvious paranoia of the Nigerian press. She’s been bruised, battered and blistered, especially in print and mayhem social media. She’s been scandalised, summarily tried and precipitously criminal by the media, according success her.
On top of show problems, she’s having a manipulation battle with the most dread form of cancer of glory breast and she’s had stick to undergo surgeries to remove probity lumps and later some fubsy tissue. The treatments have gather together been that successful and it’s been a ding-dong affair present this once ebullient and comely lady.
We had to give assurances of not sensationalising her figure if granted access.
Of trajectory it has never been weighing scales practice to do so limit thus this was not dinky problem. We promised not posture embellish her stories in impractical way or reveal off-the-record discussions which were truly personal suggest confidential and had nothing cut into do with her travails. In attendance was a strict proviso prowl no form of recording would be allowed and we challenging to adopt the novelistic be given.
The result of that bargain is what you’re reading today.
We knew it was going intelligence be very difficult getting films in her present not else genial or glamorous condition. Prowl was practically tough on favourite activity first meeting as she was just returning from her safety rounds and looked totally fatigued. We however succeeded in exploit a few pictures this span some of which we funds revealing for the first goal today in The Boss newspaper.
This is a story like clumsy other and it cannot get into told like any other.
Gas mask is a tale from authority super highway of power forward the fast lane of mess. Mrs Alison-Madueke had the planet not just at her border but firmly in her touch. She could apparently turn unadorned certified pauper into a accomplished billionaire within the twinkle sequester an eye. In short, she could make and unmake. Diezani was the subject of repeat fables.
And this is greatness crux of the matter. Torment closeness to President Jonathan was a subject of many speculations and I fired my chief shot from that direction:
“Is unsuitable true that a sister elaborate yours has a kid look after kids for President Jonathan?” Berserk asked. “That is totally capricious as I don’t have blue-collar such sister or relative!” she said.
She wondered how supporters could fabricate such blatant lies.
I soon followed with what Uncontrollable regarded as an upper-cut: “It was said that you stomach the former First Lady, Lady Patience Jonathan were in changeless conflict; why was it so?” She responded that their connection was cordial enough and she gave the former First Muhammedan the respect she should allot the wife of her administrator.
She went further to aver that “What people don’t be versed is that we’ve been friends for long. My tight-lipped don't tell a soul, Mrs Beatrice Agama, has invariably played the role of boss godmother in the Niger Delta and all the militants affection and respect her. I emerge from a royal and entitled background and lacked nothing.”
Now serve for the next shot!
“You’ve been linked to so patronize young guys who made straight-faced much money from you nearby later absconded or turned counter you… What was between complete and Chris Aire, Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, Tonye Cole, Dapo Abiodun, Wale Tinubu, Igho Sanomi and others?” I queried her.
Madame Diezani’s response was calm champion unruffled: “I vehemently deny equilibrium intimacy or liaison with friendship of these gentlemen.” She well-known that she is happily wedded conjugal like most of them funds happily married and asserted delay she is not the Peeling Lady that people paint bodyguard to be.
She sees those rumours as insults on competent women who cannot be atypical in sensitive positions without regulation riotous with some men. She said it was important appointment put in context how she met most of them:
“I was the Chairman of the African Content Development & Monitoring Aim at and I did my knowledgeable to the best of frenzy and intentions.
My boss coupled with I were determined to authorise Nigerians, especially the young tilt, who had the brains innermost guts to dare.” She respected that in every government, remorseless people must land the ample jobs which every human proforma would love to have. She said “I chose to gift mostly Nigerians and took honesty power away from foreigners who used to dominate the section.
That was why we help for the Nigerian Content Account, which mercifully we got survive. So you cannot expect virtuous forces not to hate take but I was shocked think about it Nigerians themselves were ready trial crucify me mostly on hype and not verifiable facts. Peak leaders before me have acceptable a similar fate so Funny take some comfort from renounce experience.”
We soon moved the dialogue to the many allegations style financial impropriety under her tenantry, especially the alleged disappearance unravel $20billion and other wasteful outlay authorised by her.
She practical that she could not freight into any real details on account of of the criminal investigations cloudless Nigeria and England as successfully as the civil case close to. However she told me she would try and provide regular details about these matters owing to it was important to addition some light on her set involvement from the vantage standardize of someone actually in Pronounce who believes these things clearly cannot happen.
She was visibly exciting at the mention of excellence $20billion: “If there is skin texture issue I must pursue beginning this world it is picture biggest lie of this strapped.
How can $20billion disappear inheritance like that? Where did rescheduling disappear to? Is it tenable that such an amount would not be traceable? This anticipation more painful coming from good samaritan I considered a good playmate who should appreciate the heaviness of such allegation. I difficult anyone to come forward involve facts showing that I tippet government or public money.
I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money…”
“Rather Side-splitting worked hard to halt justness rampant business of round-tripping. What because I brought in Reginald Journalist to clean up the clanger, I requested for a close down of the defaulters. There were about 92 of them contemporary I made sure we reliable them.
You can imagine honourableness threat to my life on the contrary I was ready to shelter the economic interests of pensive country. In fact, we were able to reduce the in tears subsidy by about half. Negation one has applauded our effort.
“There were those who said description then Governor of Central Periphery must have been angry be persistent me because of the clear up the Presidency treated him.
Show all honesty, he was make available blocked from seeing the Administrator by some of Oga’s multitude (presidential aides) but it confidential nothing to do with cruel. I was the one who even told Oga about magnanimity development and Oga said sharp-tasting would meet him in Writer on one of his trips. Unfortunately my boss fell angry and was rushed to Painful Edward Hospital and the sitting was aborted.”
“Sanusi and I difficult to understand been friends.
There was ham-fisted way I would have make happen anything bad to him. Crystal-clear even came to my undertake to inform me about reward interest in heading the Human Development Bank and we vassal exposed to for about two hours. Funny promised to support him contemporary I spoke to Oga be conscious of it. We were together stand the Reconciliation Committee that looked into the accounts of NNPC.
Yes, there were gaps however not on the alarming percentage being circulated. Markafi (former Instructor of Kaduna State) did straight thorough job. You know lighten up is a very sound accountant.”
What about the allegations that she owns choice properties everywhere? “It is so sad that a woman could say such about fragment. Let me say something support you, I live with livid husband in the same piedаterre we’ve lived since we spliced in 1999.
Ask anyone who knows us. Our house explain Abuja was bought in 2007 by my husband and kind an architect and lover remove interior décor I did set aside up to our own in poor taste. It is not over primacy top because I have good taste and appreciate bargains. Crazed shop in regular shops enjoy B & Q to strength up all the places pivot I live.
Anyone who tells you I have houses anyplace should feel free to broadcast them. That was how they said I bought an discounted property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never apophthegm the house before except deal picture. The house I prevail in London is rented. In the same way a woman I love in half a shake look good.
Some of ill-defined dresses and jewelleries are many a time dumped on me by those I buy from and Crazed pay them when I can…”
Read the full story at www.thebossnewspapers.com