I have not resigned – Okonjo-Iweala


By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
There was, yesterday, a hoax over the resignation of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was sworn-in by President Goodluck Jonathan just on Wednesday.

Text messages conveying the rumoured resignation of the minister were passed round at about noon, yesterday precipitating several frantic calls to officials of the presidency as well as, those of the Ministry of Finance to confirm the story which also appeared on an online news site.

But the office of the minister dismissed the story, saying that it was the handiwork of evil and corrupt people who were afraid of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s position against corruption.

Her Special Adviser, on Information and Communication, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, said in a swift reaction that the information was completely false and a calculated attempt to distract the minister but that the objective would not be achieved.

His words, “it has been brought to our notice that an online website is alleging that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, has resigned her position.

“The information is completely false and without foundation.

“We are aware that the baseless falsehood is part of the ongoing orchestrated campaign by entrenched interests and corrupt groups working against more transparent and improved governance in the country.

“The obvious intention is to distract Dr Okonjo-Iweala from contributing to the realisation of the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration for sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

“This intention will not be achieved because Dr Okonjo-Iweala will not be distracted”.

Some interests, indeed, appeared to be bent on discouraging Dr. Okonjo-Iweala from serving in the Jonathan administration as they have been sponsoring publications that she would not return to Nigeria.

Even before the Senate clearing session, there were stories that the woman wouldn’t return on the ground that she had turned down the offer of Mr. President to serve in the cabinet.

By Thursday, there was a rumoured clash between her and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over the nationalization of the three banks only a week before her arrival.

Besides, when she returned to the Washington, United States of America, after the clearing by the Senate, another story broke out to the effect that she had made up her mind not to serve because she demanded to be paid in dollar and requested to be given a free hand to pick members of her National Economic Management Team.








http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/i-have-not-resigned-okonjo-iweala/

Do you know where a nigerian who is want to receive kick back or bribe resign.