As I was reading up on the current situation in post-Mubarak Egypt, I came across this article about the billions of dollars that flow into Nigeria due to it’s oil supply but then disappear at the hands of state governors or make-believe building projects. This article focuses on the situation in Bayelsa state in the Niger Delta, an area I am forbidden to go while on this program. I live in Oyo state, quite far from Bayelsa. I cannot speak for the situation there first hand but the problems that state is facing represents a lot of the problems this country has overall with huge amounts of money disappearing into the hands of very few people.
NY Times: Riches Flow Into Nigeria, but are Lost After Arrival
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Well done, I stumbled on your article articles through a friend’s post on facebook and your perspectives, i found illuminating. I couldn’t read you speak Yoruba and even though am Igbo, I am impressed by your curiousity. I am a jounalist by training and left for the oil industry by chance but immensely admire (or envy) your reporting instincts which enter well into your subject of interest.
I am now going crazy with being able to write to you 🙂
I read every article in all my publications about Nigeria and
last year when those bombings occurred I called the Flagship
Program in Washington and talked to the head of the program
to make sure you were ok. Believe it or not, he had not seen the
New York Times article and he called your people to make sure you were ok. Then called me back to tell me all about it and
not to worry. Very accommodating. I certainly felt good about it.
love u
Stay well. Do what you must. Hugs, Me