THE DIASPORA "50&50"SCANDAL
Nigerian First lady's Camp Denies "50@50" Purported Visit and Sale of Cloth.
Anthony Obi Ogbo | Guardian News Network | Hou., TX
More Houston Nigerian women who paid undisclosed amounts for fabrics brought from Nigeria in anticipation of being honored in a visit by Nigeria's First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. Dame Patience Jonathan, may be clenching their fists and biting their tongues in sheer regret following the recent development revealed below by International Guardian reporters based in Abuja, Nigeria.
The bad news is that the Nigerian First lady is not coming, and fabrics purchased by individuals in anticipation of being honored have nothing to do with her Excellency, it was revealed.
In a campaign organized by one Dorcas Ukpe, who initially contacted our newsroom for sponsorship, the Honorable Mrs. Jonathan was expected to preside at an educational conference and awards gala night scheduled in Houston on February 18th and 19th, designed to honor 50 Notable Nigerian Women in celebration of Nigeria's 50th Independence. A member of the office of the First Lady, however, described the project as "scandalous," claiming that "We do not have anything to do with this." Another top officer who spoke to our reporter said, "We get strange letters every day from America requesting visits and other projects, but that does not mean that we respond to all of them… Now let me also tell you that those fabrics are in the market. Anybody can buy them for pennies and go to America to sell them for profit, but they should leave the First Lady out of it."
Most community members had expressed concern about the rationality of celebrating Nigeria's independence of October 2010 in February 2011 and declined participation. Others claimed they were given a false impression that the Nigeria's First Lady would honor those who purchased the product. The campaign memo from Ukpe, for instance, reads: "Under the Leadership of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Dame Patience Jonathan, 50@50 Nigeria, 50@50 in the Diaspora and their Partners Walk the Talk America, Jack and Jill Organization, America Association of University Women, Community Leaders, in collaboration with Rimson will hold the first 2011 US Educational Conference and Award Gala Night in Houston Texas on February 18th and 19th respectively. This event is designed to Honor 50 Notable Nigerian Women in celebration of Nigeria's 50th Independence."
Besides false promises of being honored by First Lady Jonathan, sample of the sewn fabrics were also photographed to woo buyers. International Guardian contacted Dorcas Upke who agreed to an interview, but she later declined to respond and would not return calls. To make it worse, the protocol coordinators of the office of Nigeria's First Lady claimed Ukpe had been sent an invitation "on behalf of one Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee inviting her Excellency to some event in February." He, however ,denied knowledge of any commitment. According to him, "Her Excellency has a representative in the Diaspora and cannot possibly involve with anybody. And also I want you to tell my people in the Diaspora that our First Lady does not sell wrappers or cloths. We don't know anything about any visit. I know that visits have been scheduled in the past and cancelled, but I can tell you that there is a lot of scam going on by some people who claim they come from abroad."
International Guardian contacted the Diaspora National President of Women For Change Initiative, Apostle Stella Alhassan, who confirmed that "a lady" from Houston had visited the office of the First lady with bogus claims of fictitious projects, claiming to be representing the group. According to Apostle Alhassan, "I am in Nigeria as I am speaking for a meeting with the First Lady, and the aim is to put things in perspective so that my responsibilities are well coordinated." Women For Change Initiative is a group founded by Nigeria's First lady as a viable and credible movement to build and consolidate efforts in demanding an equitable share of the governance space for Nigerian women.
Ukpe, it was gathered, tried to enroll as a member of this group but was politely denied, according to sources. International Guardian learned that the group has intensified its membership screening process to deter dishonest or disreputable entrants. Apostle Alhassan confirmed receipt of Dorcas Ukpe's application but told our reporter, "We are yet to consider her." A memo is expected to be released by Her Excellency Mrs. Jonathan through her Diaspora directorate, headed by Alhassan, to advise and prevent fund raisers and others with similar motives from using her name for unauthorized activities.
