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Diezani Alison-Madueke

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Diezani Agama[1]
Diezani Agama at the World Economic Forum on Africa in 2012
President of OPEC
In office
27 November 2014 – 2 December 2015
Preceded byAbdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish
Succeeded byEmmanuel Ibe Kachikwu
Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources
In office
6 April 2010 – 28 May 2015
PresidentGoodluck Jonathan
Preceded byRilwanu Lukman
Succeeded byMuhammadu Buhari
Federal Minister of Mines & Steel Development
In office
17 December 2008 – 17 March 2010
PresidentUmaru Musa Yar'Adua
Preceded bySarafa Tunji Ishola
Succeeded byMusa Mohammed Sada
Federal Minister of Transportation
In office
26 July 2007 – 17 December 2008
PresidentUmaru Musa Yar'Adua
Preceded byPrecious Sekibo
Succeeded byIbrahim Bio
Personal details
Born
Diezani K. Agama

(1960-12-06) 6 December 1960 (age 63)
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1999; div. 2022)​
[2]
ChildrenNgozi (stepchild)
Uju (stepchild)
Ogonna (stepchild)
Chimezie (son)
Chima (stepchild)[3]
Parent(s)HRH, Chief Frederick Abiye Agama
Alma materHoward University
Cambridge University
Profession
  • Politician
  • architect

Diezani K. Agama (born 6 December 1960) is a Nigerian politician who was the first female President of OPEC.[4]

She was elected at the 166th OPEC Ordinary meeting in Vienna on 27 November 2014.[5] She became Nigeria's minister of transportation on 26 July 2007.[6] She was moved to Mines and Steel Development in 2008,[7] and in April 2010 was appointed as the first female Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria.[8]

Early life and education

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Diezani K. Agama was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Her father was Chief Frederick Abiye Agama. She had her early education in Shell camp and attended Hussey Model School after the Nigerian civil war. In 1968, she enrolled in Township School, Port Harcourt and then went on to Holy Rosary Government Girls Secondary School where she sat for her WASCE in 1975. She proceeded to Federal School of Arts and Sciences in Mubi, Gongola State (now Adamawa State) for her A' Levels and then moved to the United Kingdom in 1977 to study architecture.[9]

While in the UK, she commenced studying architecture in England but then moved to Howard University in the United States.[9] She graduated from Howard with a bachelor's degree on 8 December 1992.[10] In 2002, she attended Cambridge Judge Business School for her MBA degree. Diezani is a beneficiary of the Chevening scholarship.[9]

Career

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Shell Nigeria

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Diezani returned to Nigeria in 1992 and joined Shell Petroleum working in the estates area of operations in the Lagos office of Shell as well as acting as an architectural consultant.[11] She rose to the position of Head of Civil Infrastructures and then became Head of Corporate Issues and Crisis Management Unit in 1997. Upon completion of her MBA program at Cambridge, she was made Lead Joint Ventures Representation Adviser in 2004.[9]

Alison-Madueke was appointed as an executive director of Shell in 2006. She was the first woman ever to be appointed by Shell as an executive director in Nigeria.[12]

In government

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Alison-Madueke has held three significant positions in the Nigerian federal government. She was appointed Transportation Minister in July 2007. On 23 December 2008, she became the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.[13] When Vice-president Goodluck Jonathan became acting president in February 2010, he dissolved the cabinet on 17 March 2010, and swore in a new cabinet on 6 April 2010 with Alison-Madueke as Minister for Petroleum Resources.[14] Diezani left office on June 1, 2015, as part of the presidential transition to Jonathan's successor. She then went to work for the Commonwealth of Dominica as a Trade and Investment Commissioner.[15][16]

Minister of Petroleum Resources

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As Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke pledged to transform Nigeria's oil and gas industry.[17]

In April 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Nigerian Content Act, which aimed to increase the percentage of petroleum industry contracts awarded to indigenous Nigerian businesses – a reaction to the domination of the sector by foreign operators.[18]

One of the most controversial policies introduced under Alison-Madueke was the government's plan to remove state subsidies on fuel prices. Alison-Madueke supported the discontinuation of the subsidy "because it poses a huge financial burden on the government, disproportionately benefits the wealthy, [and] encourages inefficiency, corruption and diversion of scarce public resources away from investment in critical infrastructure."[19]

Firsts

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Alison-Madueke was the first woman to hold the position of Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria, and in October 2010 she became the first woman to head a country delegation at the semi-annual OPEC conference. She was also the first female Minister of Transportation, and the first woman to be appointed to the board of Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria.[20] On 27 November 2014, she was elected as the first female President of OPEC.[21][22]

On working in male-dominated sectors, Alison-Madueke said she advised the young women she mentored while at Shell to "change their mode of thinking."[23]

Allegations of corruption and financial misconduct

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A PBS NewsHour segment quoted American and British officials saying that former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke might personally have organized a diversion of $28 billion from the Nigerian treasury.[24]

She has been charged with responsibility for $20 billion missing from the Petroleum agency. A former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi, made the comment again during a PBS interview on 2 December 2015.[25][26] Sanusi believes he was fired from the Central Bank of Nigeria because he went public with charges that $20 billion was missing from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under Alison-Madueke's management. Alison Madueke says Sanusi made the allegations to retaliate after she didn't help him to get appointed as the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and dismissed his allegation.[27]

She's been accused of awarding multi-billion Naira contracts without recourse to due process[28][29][30] and of recklessly spending government funds[31][32] as well as wasting billions of naira inappropriately on private jets.[29][33]

In October 2009, the Senate of Nigeria indicted Diezani Alison-Madueke and recommended prosecution for the transfer of N1.2 billion naira into the private account of a toll company without due process and in breach of concession agreement.[34]

She has been officially charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria for 'Money Laundering'.[35][36][37]

On 2 October 2015, Reuters reported that Alison-Madueke had been arrested by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) in London, along with four other people on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. However, a spokesperson for the police denied having any knowledge of the incident.[38][39] Her family and the Nigerian Government confirmed that she had been arrested in London, although the NCA declined to comment on the case.[40][41][42][43][44]

Also in Nigeria, her home in Asokoro, Abuja was raided and sealed by anti-corruption agents of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a few hours after her alleged arrest in London.[38][45]

On 28 August 2017, a Nigerian federal court seized 7.6 billion naira ($21 million) from bank accounts linked to Alison-Madueke.[46][47]

In 2017, the US Justice Department's kleptocracy team seized $145 million worth of assets that had been purchased "for the benefit of" Ms. Alison-Madueke. Among the assets were a $50 million apartment in New York, properties in California, and an $80 million yacht; Galactica Star.[48]

As part of the Pandora Papers leak in 2021, Alison-Madueke was accused of accepting $17 million in gifts and property from three Nigerian oil businessmen in exchange for favors as part of her role as Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources.[49]

In October 2023, Alison-Madueke appeared in court in the UK to face trial for bribery charges, following her prior arrest in 2017.[50] The EFCC also announced that they had secured an arrest warrant for Alison-Madueke on money laundering charges and were seeking her extradition.[51]

Personal life

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In 1999, Diezani married Allison Madueke one-time Chief of Naval Staff who was at various times governor of Imo and Anambra States.[9][52] She is mother to six children; one biological son and five step children including Chimezie Madueke and Ogonna Madueke.[53] In September 2011, Alison-Madueke was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree in Management Sciences by the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. She is the first woman to be so awarded. The event took place at the convocation ceremony for the 58th Regular Course Cadet.[54]

Alison-Madueke revealed that while in office, she had been undergoing treatments for breast cancer in the United Kingdom.[55][56]

In September 2008, there was an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap Alison-Madueke at her house in Abuja with her son Chimezie Madueke.[57]

In June, 2024, it was widely reported that Diezani had separated from Madueke as far back as 2021.[58]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Adeduyite, Okiki (2 July 2024). "Stop ex-minister Diezani from using my name, estranged husband urges court". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ Oyedokun, Taofeek (2 July 2024). "Diezani's estranged husband, Alison Madueke, asks court to stop ex-minister from using his name". Business Day. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Diezani Alison-Madueke biography and career". Naji.com. 25 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Alison-Madueke elected OPEC President". Vanguard. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Nigerian Minister Becomes 1st OPEC Female President". NUJEurope. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Foirmer Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke isw Ill as Picture Reveals". Ben Television | Sky 458 | Breaking - Nigeria, Africa and World Top News. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  7. ^ Ezea, Samson (3 January 2015). "Diezani Alison-Madueke's Journey to Political Limelight". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Diezani Alison-Madueke scored another firs". Vanguard. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e Hamilton, Kunle (14 July 2007). "Diezani Allison-Madueke ...A passion from the creeks to the peak". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Diezani Alison-Madueke's year of graduation faulted by Howard University". Nigeria News. 7 August 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011.
  11. ^ "SPDC – The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria". www.shell.com.ng. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  12. ^ Olawale, Johnson (25 November 2017). "Story of ex-minister Diezani Alison-Madueke who broke through the ranks in a male-dominated oil sector". Naija.ng. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Alison-Madueke resumes at Mines and Steel ministry". The Punch. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2009.[dead link‍]
  14. ^ "New Cabinet Unveiled as Nigeria's Acting President Shores Up Position". IHS Global Insight. 7 April 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  15. ^ "Revealed: Diezani now Dominican citizen". Vanguard. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  16. ^ Egbas, Jude (7 June 2020). "How Diezani escaped Nigeria and became Commissioner in Dominica". Pulse. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  17. ^ Alison-Madueke, Diezani (11 June 2011). "Oil and Gas Working for All Nigeria Part 1". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  18. ^ Muhammad, Hamisu (4 May 2010). "Content Law - of Content And Contempt". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 January 2012 – via allAfrica.
  19. ^ Dodondawa, Tunde (9 January 2012). "FG outlines benefits of fuel subsidy removal". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012.
  20. ^ "NDA awards Alison-Madueke doctorate degree". SweetCrude Reports. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  21. ^ Okafor, Chineme (27 November 2014). "Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke Elected First OPEC Female President". This Day. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015.
  22. ^ "First in history: Alison-Madueke elected new OPEC President". News Express Nigeria Website. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  23. ^ "NPDC's Appointment of a Funding Partner Has Been Greatly Misunderstood – Alison-Madueke". This Day. 12 June 2011. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  24. ^ Sobuto, Jola (7 December 2015). "Ex-minister might have personally supervised stealing of $6bn [VIDEO]". Pulse. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  25. ^ Sobuto, Jola (7 December 2015). "'Nigeria was losing $1bn a month under Jonathan,' Emir says [VIDEO]". Pulse. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  26. ^ Schifrin, Nick (2 December 2015). "How a cancer of corruption steals Nigerian oil, weapons and lives". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  27. ^ Sobuto, Jola (7 April 2016). "Panama Papers will expose more Nigerians". Pulse. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  28. ^ Udo, Bassey (18 March 2015). "Missing $20bn: Alison-Madueke sues PREMIUM TIMES, APC, 9 others". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015.
  29. ^ a b "The Diezani Allison-Madueke Saga: Another Private Jet Uncovered!". Bella Naija. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
  30. ^ "Nigerian Senate probes mystery govt payments". Mail & Guardian. South Africa. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015.
  31. ^ Ndigbo, Ogbuefi (18 January 2012). "Diezani Allison Madueke's sons' Scandalous private jet lifestyle". Elombah. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012.
  32. ^ "Diezani Alison-Madueke Maintained Rooms In Two New York Luxury Hotels During UN Assembly". Sahara Reporters. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015.
  33. ^ Nnochiri, Ikechukwu (21 October 2014). "N10bn Jet Scandal: Court okays Allison-Madueke, NNPC's amended suit against Reps". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  34. ^ "N300bn TRANSPORTATION contractS:Senate report indicts Anenih, Okonjo-Iweala, Ciroma". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2015.
  35. ^ "N23bn Bribe: EFCC Charges Alison-Madueke, INEC Staff To Court". Prompt News. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  36. ^ "UK Government Okays Diezani's Trial For 'Money Laundering'". Sahara Reporters. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  37. ^ "EFCC includes Diezani in N450m money laundering charge". TheCable. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Nigeria's ex-oil minister Alison-Madueke arrested in London: sources". Reuters. 3 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  39. ^ "former petroleum minister arrested". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  40. ^ "Nigeria's ex-oil minister 'arrested in London'". BBC News. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  41. ^ "UK crime agency authorised to seize cash from Nigeria ex-oil minister - court". Reuters. 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  42. ^ "Nigeria's Former Oil Minister Alison-Madueke Arrested in U.K." Bloomberg News. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  43. ^ "International Corruption Unit arrests". UK National Crime Agency. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  44. ^ "Identities of those arrested along with Diezani revealed". Daily Post. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  45. ^ "EFCC seals Abuja home of former Nigerian minister, Alison-Madueke". Premium Times. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  46. ^ "Nigeria seizes $21m linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke". Al Jazeera. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  47. ^ "$21m of ex-Nigerian oil minister seized, protesters demand her extradition". africanews. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  48. ^ Corrupt Oil Trader Turns On Colleagues in Massive Africa Bribe Case, 14 September 2021, Bloomberg News.
  49. ^ Armendariz, Agustin (6 October 2021). "Pandora Papers | A Global Investigation | Secret Trove Illuminates the Lives of Billionaires". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  50. ^ Shirbo, Estelle (2 October 2023). "Nigerian ex-oil minister faces bribery charges in London court". Reuters. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  51. ^ Nwachukwu, John Owen (2 October 2023). "'We've secured warrant to arrest Diezani Madueke, began extradition proceedings' – EFCC". Daily Post. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  52. ^ "How I met, fell in love with Diezani - Husband". The Punch. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  53. ^ Olawale, Johnson (25 November 2017). "Story of ex-minister Diezani Alison-Madueke who broke through the ranks in a male-dominated oil sector". Legit.ng. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  54. ^ "Yet another garland for Diezani Alison-Madueke". Vanguard. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  55. ^ Ndujihe, Clifford (10 October 2015). "Cancer: Pray for me, Diezani begs Nigerians". Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  56. ^ "Former Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke, Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment". 6 June 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  57. ^ Modibbo, Ibrahim (29 September 2008). "Nigeria: Police Foil Attempt to 'Kidnap' Allison-Madueke". Leadership. Abuja, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024.
  58. ^ Bamgboye, Adelanwa (1 July 2024). "Stop using my name, ex-husband warns Diezani". Daily Trust. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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