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Dr Okey Anueyiagu: Media Gosip: why Nigerians talk about this man?: DR. OKEY ANUEYIAGU – CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF BROWN BROMMEL LTD. The Visionary Mind of a Business Genius. A Ph.D. gra...
Prof. Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi - Modern Medici Interview of Dr. Okey Anueyiagu
Prof. Chuu Krydz IkwuemesiModern Medici InterviewofDr. Okey Anueyiagu
QUESTION:
Tell
me about your younger days, Dr. Anueyiagu. What kind of education did you have?
How did it help you cultivate an interest in art and heritage?
ANSWER:
I was born in the bustling
ancient city of Kano, in Northern Nigeria. My early formative years, witnessed
the most amazing picturesque exposition to ancient northern art and
architecture, laced with interesting experiences of ancient Igbo cultural life,
art and folklore, occasioned by my periodic visits to my ancestral home of
Awka, in Eastern Nigeria.
The
city of Kano left an indelible mark in my life and until today, has remained
the centerpiece of my reflections of a conglomerate of diverse cultures, peoples,
ideas and ways of live. My childhood experiences in Kano have elicited my interest
in writing a book, that will show, that, until the politicians and their military
collaborators polluted the system, all peoples of diverse cultures, religion
and values, lived peacefully in total harmony in Kano.
With
the advent of the devastating civil war in 1966, my family was forced to
relocate to the East. I attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an
institution steeped very deeply in creative art and culture. Although I did not
study art, the overwhelming presence of art giants, both painters and
sculptures; teachers and budding students within the campuses and around the
cities of Enugu, Awka, Calabar and in other localities, captured my imagination.
These explosive art movements arrested my interest. From Obiora Udechukwu, EI
Anatsui, Chike Aniakor, Uche Okeke; to Tayo Adenaike, Nsikak Essien,
Ifedioramma Dike, Chris Echeta, Bona Ezeudu, Obiora Anidi, Olu Oguibe and
others, I found great company in the personal relationships shared with some
and intimate admiration for their works in their many exhibitions around the
Eastern part of Nigeria in the 1970s.
For my post graduate studies, I lived and studied in
New York City, an environment of expansive and intensive art and culture.
During this period, I visited many museums and attended art exhibitions in the
city. I became an active member of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and had the
opportunity of viewing works of great artists like Picasso, Monet, Jackson
Pollock, Paul Cezanne, Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Willem de kooning, Salvador
Dali, Marc Chagall, Jean-Michel Basquiat and many more.
Without
any doubt, these early experiences and exposures helped enormously in
cultivating my interest in art and cultural heritage.
QUESTION:
How old were you when you started collecting art? What
was your aesthetic taste like at the onset and how has it developed over the
years?
ANSWER:
I was pretty young when I started collecting art. Maybe
as early as four years or so. I was, at a very early age, fascinated with
horses and race cars. Kano had many horses, and my late father’s friend, the
late Emir of Kano had loads of horses mostly decorated with beautifully wooven
colours of materials made of various motifs and His Highness allowed me to play
with his horses. I loved the colours and the local patterns on the horses and
the motifs on the ancient walls of the city. I always went to the Emir’s Palace
to admire the horses and the painted art on the walls. Following my interests,
my father had acquired some horses which we decorated in those beautiful
colours and rode them on the farms outside Kano in Azare and Jamari. Kano also
had race tracks and in addition to the miniature figurines of horses, I also
collected miniature race cars of various shapes and colours. I thought those
were really cool and adventurous collections.
Aesthetically, I have always been fascinated by
futuristic art that are embedded in the past as a vehicle for the modern times.
I like it when an artist is using the past and old history to point to the
future. That is awesome and has guided my quest for art collection.
QUESTION:
What are the factors that
helped to sustain your interest in art? Where do you locate those factors and
have they continued to be part of your life?
ANSWER:
My interest in art grew in my undergraduate years as I
became very friendly with the prolific and the enigmatic painter, Nsikak
Essien. We had many common interests, including our interest in classic rock music.
I found a unifying force between the dark heavy rock music of the early 1970s
and art. We listened to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath,
Queen, Deep Purple, Cream and Others. The culture of rock music and the
outrageous dressings of the musicians, coupled with the poetic nuances of the
lyrics, in my opinion, had major similarities to creative and abstractive art.
This was also the same case with the Igbo, the Efik and Ibibio masquerades and musicologies,
although, at that time, to a lesser extent, nothing to compare to the
influences rock music had on my direction and appreciation of art.
Nsikak Essien was the factor and rock music was the
motivator that sustained my interest in art. Nsikak and I were drawn to the
eroticism of colours flowing from the hippie culture of the 1960s prevalent in
the flower age and era as exemplified by legendary rock groups like the Doors
and the Grateful Dead. He experimented with ideas and colours reminiscent with
the culture of the times. We both romanticized this moment and movement and
were hugely influenced. These factors have remained indelible in me and have
continued to be an integral part of my art life.
QUESTION:
How do you describe your aesthetic taste now? Are
there any kinds of work that specially appeal to you? Do you collect works on
their merit or are there extra-artistic factors that usually influence your
decision on what to collect?
ANSWER:
My
aesthetic taste for art is described within the ample creative ambit and space
of modern African art. The historical development of modern art, in my opinion
encompasses many diverse strands, mediating and unraveling in divergent
juxtapositions. I am particularly attracted to paintings of acrylic and pastel
media. I have extensively collected works that evoke explosive kinetic contents
and compositions of colours. I have collected some sculptures and works of
other selected media.
I
collect works according to its personal merit and on how they appeal to my
taste and personal idea of what a good art is and the significance of such art
to me and my environment. I have never speculated on the futuristic financial
value of any of my collection, as a basis for the purchase, although in the
back of my mind, I know that any good work, will make for a good investment in
its value in the future. If I do not like a particular work or its maker, I
will not purchase it regardless of its potential value presently or in the
future.
I
am vastly inspired in my art collection by African schematic renderings which
have been prominently referred to as Cubism, a style of work believed to have
been developed by Brague and Picasso. This style of painting was largely
defined by pictorial language whose geometrical approach to form and shape was
inspired by Cezanne and by archaic or primitive art. The origin of these styles,
many believe, is African.
My
interest in Abstrations and Surrealism forms of art, intertwine in the sense,
that they give me the satisfaction of seeing clear dissociation of line and
colour, and the unique contrast of various forms, images and shapes, making for
exciting forms of pictorial harmony. These variables influence my decision of
what to collect or not.
QUESTION:
Do you see the role of the critic as being
complementary to that of the artist, the way the role of the art collector also
is? If yes, how have you enjoyed playing this highly complementary humanising role
in the art field over the years?
ANSWER:
I
have never played this role, as I believe that beauty is in the eyes of the
beholder. However, for those whose professional duty it is to critique works of
art and the artists, there is always an element of bias and personal prejudice,
as no one can claim impartiality in the judgment of any art form, be it drama,
film or painting.
However,
objective criticism, sometimes can complement and spur the artist to improve
and adapt to new ideas and perspectives that may have been pointed out by the
art critic.
QUESTION:
Tell me about your collection? How rich is it? How
many pieces of art do you have today and what do you consider the most precious
or important aspects of it? If there are high points of your collection, what
do you consider the low points, if any? Apart from collecting art, have you
supported art and the creative enterprise in other ways? If so, could you tell
me a bit about these contributions and how they have impacted the growth of art
in these parts?
ANSWER:
My collection is very rich and widely extensive. From
my early Nsikak Essien, EI Anatsui, Bona Ezeudu, Tayo Adenaike, Bruce Onobrakpeya
to my not too recent and recent Ndidi Dike, Tola Wewe, Olu Ajayi, Sam Ovraiti,
Tony Enebeli, Glover, Ekwenchi, Onyema Offoedu-Okeke, I have been able to find
a balance between various forms, patterns and artistic compositions that our
continent has offered.
I have also collected works of, and shown deep
interests in the works of; Muraina Oyelami, Peju Alatise, Wosene Worke Kosrot,
Rom Isichie, Abdel Basit EL Khatim, Chris Afuba, Yusuf Grillo, Kainebi Osahene,
Dele Jegede, Joe Musa, Anthea Epelle, Chris Ofili, Yinka Shonibare and others.
My major collection is that of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke,
whose work in my collection that are scattered all over the world, are numbered
in the excess of 200 paintings. Upon citing some of his early works in the mid-1990s,
I saw a pattern that pointed him in the direction of artistic greatness. His
work in a very progressive way, defies the codes and narratives that define
traditional art in regimentary manners. I was drawn to Onyema’s art because of
the interpretative paraphrases that it employs in making his works relevant to
our lives and environment. Crucially, Onyema has enormous natural gift and
talent that prod him to try virtually anything, no matter how outrageous. He
paints a landscape filled with wild colourful flowers and birds, or a
marketplace that drizzles acrylic paints on canvas with human and other hidden
images and forms playing mirage like and magical visual tricks on the viewer,
offering varying interpretations, and meanings.
My large and extensive collection of Onyema, prompted
me to write a 260 page book titled “Contemporary
African Art. My Private Collection of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke. By Dr. Okey
Anueyiagu”. This book published in 2011 by Brown Brommel Publishers, is in
many libraries and museums around the world, and has received many accolades
and commendations as a literary, academic and pictorial well researched work on
African art.
The high point of my art collection was in 2003, when
I took Six Nigerian artists to London and in collaboration with Barclays
Private Bank, hosted one of the most successful art exhibitions of Contemporary
African Art in the world. This exhibition was attended by prominent art lovers,
politicians, captains of the banking world, art critics, princes and princesses
and who is who in the art world. The artists and their works received high
commendations in the British mainstream media, and some of the proceeds of the
exhibition, were used for the betterment of some charities in Nigeria. This was
a very high point for me.
I have had a few low points, most significant being generally,
the unfortunate negative and myopic attitude of some artists and patrons, who
assume that their God given talent and, or their wealth, is a ticket to the
financial and status mountains of the art world.
QUESTION:
What do you think about the value of art? At times,
when I contemplate the game of football philosophically, I wonder why people
are so moved by a simple round leather. The same way, many wonder what is in a
piece of canvas or wood that should make people pay so much for art. When you
look at a work of art, what do you see that moves you? What endears you to it,
to the empathetic point where you want to acquire, to own and to cherish?
ANSWER:
Philosophically,
the analogy is apt and appropriate. The passion, the affection, and the
fanaticism are inclined by desires of joy, exhilaration, and self-fulfillment
of love of object and action.
I
cannot place a value on art. The value is latently intrinsic and can only be
determined by extreneous factors, that sometimes may be beyond comprehension.
Practically, the media over the many decades, with the help of critics, have
come to place values on works of art, through the promotion of the artists.
Some art that may appear meaningless without much value, to some, may become
extensively sought after by value hunters, simply because some critic in the
New York Times recognized the painter as great.
What
moves me and elicits my interest in a work of art is, firstly, the strength and
vision of the artist and secondly, his or her character, dispositions and views
of the world we live in, through his or her eyes and brush.
QUESTION:
Art
appreciates in value over time. How do you perceive this unique potential of
art? At a fundamental level, if you resell something, it should lose some
value. But it is not the case with art. Why does art have this unique value
when it comes to its economic significance?
ANSWER:
The
appreciative value of art both in economic and aesthetic terms is an
indisputable fact. Fundamentally, art is uniquely different from other objects
due to its originality in form and content. An art object, cannot be
essentially reproduced as a replacement of the original, whereas a car, for
instance, can be duplicated in its original form, shape and content. Art has no
replacement and therefore, retains and surpasses its unique value when it comes
to its economic significance. For these reasons, an art object will continue to
appreciate in value over a long period of time.
QUESTION:
Beyond personal enjoyment, what do you hope to do
with your collection in the long run? When you decide to retire, how will your
collection be preserved and looked after for the benefit of your family, the
society and posterity? Do your children appreciate art as you do?
ANSWER:
I
intend to keep most of my collection in my private family estate. Others I
intent to lend to Museums and other institutions for display for public viewing
and education. At this present time, I am in discussion with Mayor Kasim Reed,
The Mayor of The City of Atlanta, USA, who is a good friend, to lend some of my
works to the City for display in some prominent locations in the City. One of
the locations, is the new and magnificient Maynard Jackson International
Airport, the busiest airport in the world. It will be a thing of joy and pride
to display my collection of beautiful African art for millions of travellers from
around the world to appreciate.
When
I retire, or you must mean when I am no more, I will keep my works in my Family
Trust and my Foundation. My wife and Children all have tremendous love and
appreciation for art. Whenever we are in a big city, one of our first visits would
be to the museums and art centres. I am hopeful that they will be able to
preserve my collections and that they will do much more than I have been able
to do for the benefit of mankind, the society and posterity at large.
QUESTION:
Apart from art, what else have you loved so
passionately?
ANSWER:
Apart
from art, I have fascination and love for mechanical objects. I love cars, but
not in the aesthetic and showoff form. I have owned a few Ferraris and have
always wanted to open the awesome and monstrous engines and play around with
the intricate parts. I also started collecting watches from childhood. Then,
from the fake inferior movements, to now, the more complicated tourbillon
timepieces. Sometimes I begin to think, that my collection of wrist watches
supercede or surpass my art collection. I think that in my other life, I must
have been a watch repairer or a horologist.
My love for architecture and furniture is so
passionate, that I have devoted tremendous amount of time, travels and
interests, to the point that by a mere first glance at a masterpiece
architectural drawing and design, or a piece of furniture, I could tell
almost to a pinpoint accuracy, who is
behind the design. I also love to cook.
Apart
from these objects of desires, my primary love and passion is my Family and
God. I believe that for the world to thrive, we MUST LOVE GOD and LOVE
PEOPLE.
Media Gosip: why Nigerians talk about this man?
DR. OKEY ANUEYIAGU – CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF BROWN BROMMEL LTD.
The Visionary Mind of a Business Genius.
A Ph.D. graduate of Fordham University, New York with emphasis in Economics and Political Science, Okey Anueyiagu was born in Kano, Nigeria. He first went to the prestigious University of Nigeria, NSUKKA, where he obtained a Bachelor of Sciences degree with honours, before proceeding to the University of Rochester, New York and Fordham University, also in New York.
A University teacher, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, an activist, art collector and a humanist, Dr. Okey Anueyiagu has distinguished himself in various endeavours of life. He has for over three decades promoted various ventures in Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Telecommunications, Construction, Manufacturing and Industry.
As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brown Brommel Limited, Dr. Okey Anueyiagu steers the company to maintain global strategic alliance networks and international partnerships that contribute to project planning and execution. Brown Brommel Limited recently signed a Joint Venture Agreement with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to build a 100,000 Bpd Refinery in Warri Delta State, Nigeria. This is the first Joint Venture for the establishment of Refineries by NNPC since it was established over 4 decades ago.
NNPC as the largest business entity and investor in Nigeria is amongst the foremost National Oil Companies in the world. The corporation is entirely owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and manages Nigerian upstream, mid-stream, and downstream petroleum sector. The objective of the Joint Venture between NNPC and Brown Brommel Limited for the establishment of the refinery in Warri is to achieve increased domestication of crude oil refining on a fast track, towards meeting the nation petroleum products demand for the country. The goal is for an upsurge in the refining capacity of NNPC.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu recognizes the dire-need for the establishment of more refineries in Nigeria and the enormous challenge of being selected to partner with NNPC to achieve the overall objective of this laudable venture. He has assembled a group of reputable and competent oil industry operators, to ensure effective technical and operational performance. This properly structured and organized approach will bring about high capacity utilization of facilities and optimum production when completed.
Various implementation committees including the steering and technical committee have been inaugurated and work has stated on the preliminary stages, the technical team has undertaken a facility tour of Warri Refinery to access the available land earmarked by NNPC for the refinery and to evaluate the utilities to be shared by both refineries.
KPMG, an internationally acclaimed advisory and consultancy firm was engaged by Brown Brommel to produce a complete business and financial plan. Also as part of the progress in executing this project in accordance to the timeline, Brown Brommel has engaged international Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Companies around the globe and is in partnership with various companies in the industry including Oil Serve, Mocoh, Total, Mercurial, Shoreline, Essar, LR Group, Dignia, Parsons Brinckerhoff, UOP (Honeywell), Union Maritime, Amal Group, Netco, Worldwide Energy, Enviremed, Galil Engineering Group, Global Petroleum Exploration (GPX), Israeli Aerospace Industry (I.A.I) and many others in the actualization of this landmark project.
Dr. Okey’s brilliant entrepreneurial, and visionary strategic mind and his vast experience and wide international contacts in these areas in the oil and gas sector and other business enterprises, are largely responsible for the monumental success being recorded in these projects, particularly in the establishment of the Brown Brommel Refineries in Warri, Nigeria.
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#DROKEY
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#OKEY
Naija Media Gosip: who is Dr. Okey Anueyiagu?
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu was born in Kano, Nigeria. He graduated, with honours, from the prestigious University of Nigeria, NSUKKA, studied and earned post graduate degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Rochester, New York and Fordham University, New York. He was a pioneer staff member of the old Anambra State University of Technology.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and activist, art collector and a humanist, has distinguished himself in various endeavours of life. He has for over three decades promoted various ventures in Oil and Gas, Agricultural, Telecommunication, Construction, Manufacturing and Industrialization; and has sponsored the promotion of art and culture across continents.
Dr. Okey has worked in various field of endeavours in the promotion of harmonious coexistence of the various tribes, entities and peoples within the varying geopolitical Landscape of Africa and the world. His foray into sociopolitical spheres is geared toward fostering unity and peaceful coexistence between diverse groups and entities.
In the academic field, he has published a compendium of research materials, journals and books, a few of which are listed herewith; Wealth and Economic Status: A perspective on Racial inequality (1982), Foreign Trade Policy and Black economic Advancement. (1982), Trends, Prospects, and Strategies for Black economic Progress. (1984), The Political Mobilization of Black America, 1982- 1984 (1986), The Determinants of Black Partisanship (1985), Race: Politics and Economics. (1985), Minorities and the Labour Market (1985), Foreign Policy Planning: Its practice and problems in the United States Department of State. (1985), Practice & Problems of the United States Foreign Policy Planning: A case Study of Africa. (1985), Voter Choice in Presidential Elections: A Casual Analysis. (1986), Welfare System in Nigeria: An Analysis. (1987), Debt Conversion & Direct Equity investment: The Mexican Experience. (1988), The Economic Implications of a Two-party System in the Third Republic. (1988), Privatization: A Case Study of the Nigeria Oil Industry. (1989), The Arrogance and Glorification of Illiteracy, (2009), African Contemporary Art: Collection of Essays, (2011), Contemporary African Art; My Private Collection of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke, 265 Pages (2012).
Some of his Professional Memberships include; Member, The Joint Centre for Political Studies, Washington D.C., U.S.A, Member, Democratic National Convention, New York Chapter, Member, National Policy Institute, Washington D.C. U.S.A, Associate Member, Economic and Social Task Force, JCPS Washington D.C., Member, Association for Intelligence Officers, Virginia, USA, Member, Journals of U.S and International Intelligence Studies, USA.
He has served and continues to serve in the following business enterprises; Akob Ltd, Pointec Technologies Ltd, Transmatic, Brown Brommel, Nigerian Coal Corporation.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu has been describe by very prominent scholars, successful and well revered and respected individuals in very superlative ways.
In the words of Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America; “Dr. Okey Anueyiagu is very prominent, responsible and highly respectable Nigerian. He is an outstanding business man with interest in various enterprises including Agriculture, Power System, Aviation Equipment, Mining, Engineering, Construction and Petroleum Products...”
Professor Obiozor continues “ Dr. Okey Anueyiagu whom I have known for over 20 years, is one of Nigeria’s best and brightest young entrepreneurs. He is a man of impeccable integrity, a decent man with strong devotion to professionalism and decorum in the conduct of his private and public life. He is highly respected and admired by his colleagues and friends for his interest in the general welfare of humanity in general and Nigerians in particular. I highly recommend without hesitation Dr. Okey as a reliable man, and accomplished individual and a trust worthy man with a reputation for honesty, charitable character and friendly disposition. I have known him for over 20 years, and I have no doubt in saying that he is a man who is faithful to friends and colleagues and trusted by both as man of his words…”
In the same vien, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the former Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon Mobil for Africa and the Middle East, and now The Minister of Petroleum of Nigeria, wrote about Dr. Okey thus; “Dr. Okey Anueyiagu is a person of topmost ethical and professional pedigree and is a well respected Nigerian of means and stature… He is above all an impeccable gentleman… and I have no hesitation in recommending him…”
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu’s contribution to philanthropy is growing steadily. He has contributed in various project in support of the poor, the down trodden, the hungry, the homeless, orphans and less privileged in the society. Through his organization;
DR. OKEY ANUEYIAGU FOUNDATION, a structure was built to serve as accommodation and clinic for orphans in Awka. The Foundation amongst other projects, is presently engaged in the design, reconstruction of an old and dilapidated elementary school and construction of a new structure in Awka. This massive project, when concluded, will feature classrooms, laboratory, library auditoriums, clinic, living quarters for some staff, track and field, spectator stand and other amenities to carter to over 500 pupils.
In the field of art, Dr. Okey is an avid art collector that has spent well over 30 years collecting painting and sculptures from around the world. In 2012 he published a 265 page book titled; “Contemporary African Art- My Private Collection of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke. The book, which include images reflecting the sweeping governmental changes throughout Africa and the rest of the world, pays tribute to Offoedu-Okeke’s heritage and the artists who preceded him. Topics range from primal emotion to complicated sociological concerns. Throughout the anthology, the artist aims to express his experience and observations though rhythm, poetry, pattern, and color. Dr. Okey’s book and essays, ultimately seek to advance and preserve the culture of Africa and by extension, of the world.
The Ph.D. graduate of Fordham University with an emphasis in Economics and Political Science, is the CEO of Brown Brommel Limited in Lagos, Nigeria. The company provides advanced technologies services and leading innovation in multiple sectors, such as energy, defense, infrastructure, agriculture, and publishing. Furthermore, Okey Anueyiagu helps the company to maintain global strategic alliance networks and international partnerships that contribute to project planning and execution.
His admiration for his late father led him to craft a written tribute in his honor that highlights the man’s life and the experiences they shared. In his tribute, to his father, Chief Chuma, a Legendary Journalist and writer, who died in 2014, at 100, years Okey Anueyiagu says he greatly admired his father, who he felt embodied integrity. Anueyiagu says that he learned many lessons from his father, including the belief that a simple life is the most successful and powerful. In addition, he says that his father taught him that peace and simplicity are closely intertwined. Anueyiagu respected the fact that his father led a life free of hate, hurriedness, and clutter.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu and his father shared many spiritual and philosophical discussion. Anueyiagu says his father was a great thinker, savvy businessman, philosopher, spiritualist, and an advocate for helping others to succeed. He says that one of his father’s greatest lessons was that in order to be accomplished, you should assist and encourage others. His father emphasized to him that by helping others, you also help yourself.
Dr. Okey is married to Hadiza, a lawyer and a partner of 30 years and have three daughters; Tochi a lawyer, Ebele and Dera, both undergraduates, and twin boys Aka and Arize.
Media Info: Dr Okey Anueyiagu Biography
Dr Okey Anueyiagu’s Biography
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu was born in Kano, Nigeria. He graduated, with honours, from the prestigious University of Nigeria, NSUKKA, studied and earned post graduate degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Rochester, New York and Fordham University, New York. He was a pioneer staff member of the old Anambra State University of Technology.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and activist, art collector and a humanist, has distinguished himself in various endeavours of life. He has for over three decades promoted various ventures in Oil and Gas, Agricultural, Telecommunication, Construction, Manufacturing and Industrialization; and has sponsored the promotion of art and culture across continents.
Dr. Okey has worked in various field of endeavours in the promotion of harmonious coexistence of the various tribes, entities and peoples within the varying geopolitical Landscape of Africa and the world. His foray into sociopolitical spheres is geared toward fostering unity and peaceful coexistence between diverse groups and entities.
In the academic field, he has published a compendium of research materials, journals and books, a few of which are listed herewith; Wealth and Economic Status: A perspective on Racial inequality (1982), Foreign Trade Policy and Black economic Advancement. (1982), Trends, Prospects, and Strategies for Black economic Progress. (1984), The Political Mobilization of Black America, 1982- 1984 (1986), The Determinants of Black Partisanship (1985), Race: Politics and Economics. (1985), Minorities and the Labour Market (1985), Foreign Policy Planning: Its practice and problems in the United States Department of State. (1985), Practice & Problems of the United States Foreign Policy Planning: A case Study of Africa. (1985), Voter Choice in Presidential Elections: A Casual Analysis. (1986), Welfare System in Nigeria: An Analysis. (1987), Debt Conversion & Direct Equity investment: The Mexican Experience. (1988), The Economic Implications of a Two-party System in the Third Republic. (1988), Privatization: A Case Study of the Nigeria Oil Industry. (1989), The Arrogance and Glorification of Illiteracy, (2009), African Contemporary Art: Collection of Essays, (2011), Contemporary African Art; My Private Collection of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke, 265 Pages (2012).
Some of his Professional Memberships include; Member, The Joint Centre for Political Studies, Washington D.C., U.S.A, Member, Democratic National Convention, New York Chapter, Member, National Policy Institute, Washington D.C. U.S.A, Associate Member, Economic and Social Task Force, JCPS Washington D.C., Member, Association for Intelligence Officers, Virginia, USA, Member, Journals of U.S and International Intelligence Studies, USA.
He has served and continues to serve in the following business enterprises; Akob Ltd, Pointec Technologies Ltd, Transmatic, Brown Brommel, Nigerian Coal Corporation.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu has been describe by very prominent scholars, successful and well revered and respected individuals in very superlative ways.
In the words of Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America; “Dr. Okey Anueyiagu is very prominent, responsible and highly respectable Nigerian. He is an outstanding business man with interest in various enterprises including Agriculture, Power System, Aviation Equipment, Mining, Engineering, Construction and Petroleum Products...”
Professor Obiozor continues “ Dr. Okey Anueyiagu whom I have known for over 20 years, is one of Nigeria’s best and brightest young entrepreneurs. He is a man of impeccable integrity, a decent man with strong devotion to professionalism and decorum in the conduct of his private and public life. He is highly respected and admired by his colleagues and friends for his interest in the general welfare of humanity in general and Nigerians in particular. I highly recommend without hesitation Dr. Okey as a reliable man, and accomplished individual and a trust worthy man with a reputation for honesty, charitable character and friendly disposition. I have known him for over 20 years, and I have no doubt in saying that he is a man who is faithful to friends and colleagues and trusted by both as man of his words…”
In the same vien, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the former Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon Mobil for Africa and the Middle East, and now The Minister of Petroleum of Nigeria, wrote about Dr. Okey thus; “Dr. Okey Anueyiagu is a person of topmost ethical and professional pedigree and is a well respected Nigerian of means and stature… He is above all an impeccable gentleman… and I have no hesitation in recommending him…”
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu’s contribution to philanthropy is growing steadily. He has contributed in various project in support of the poor, the down trodden, the hungry, the homeless, orphans and less privileged in the society. Through his organization;
DR. OKEY ANUEYIAGU FOUNDATION, a structure was built to serve as accommodation and clinic for orphans in Awka. The Foundation amongst other projects, is presently engaged in the design, reconstruction of an old and dilapidated elementary school and construction of a new structure in Awka. This massive project, when concluded, will feature classrooms, laboratory, library auditoriums, clinic, living quarters for some staff, track and field, spectator stand and other amenities to carter to over 500 pupils.
In the field of art, Dr. Okey is an avid art collector that has spent well over 30 years collecting painting and sculptures from around the world. In 2012 he published a 265 page book titled; “Contemporary African Art- My Private Collection of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke. The book, which include images reflecting the sweeping governmental changes throughout Africa and the rest of the world, pays tribute to Offoedu-Okeke’s heritage and the artists who preceded him. Topics range from primal emotion to complicated sociological concerns. Throughout the anthology, the artist aims to express his experience and observations though rhythm, poetry, pattern, and color. Dr. Okey’s book and essays, ultimately seek to advance and preserve the culture of Africa and by extension, of the world.
The Ph.D. graduate of Fordham University with an emphasis in Economics and Political Science, is the CEO of Brown Brommel Limited in Lagos, Nigeria. The company provides advanced technologies services and leading innovation in multiple sectors, such as energy, defense, infrastructure, agriculture, and publishing. Furthermore, Okey Anueyiagu helps the company to maintain global strategic alliance networks and international partnerships that contribute to project planning and execution.
His admiration for his late father led him to craft a written tribute in his honor that highlights the man’s life and the experiences they shared. In his tribute, to his father, Chief Chuma, a Legendary Journalist and writer, who died in 2014, at 100, years Okey Anueyiagu says he greatly admired his father, who he felt embodied integrity. Anueyiagu says that he learned many lessons from his father, including the belief that a simple life is the most successful and powerful. In addition, he says that his father taught him that peace and simplicity are closely intertwined. Anueyiagu respected the fact that his father led a life free of hate, hurriedness, and clutter.
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu and his father shared many spiritual and philosophical discussion. Anueyiagu says his father was a great thinker, savvy businessman, philosopher, spiritualist, and an advocate for helping others to succeed. He says that one of his father’s greatest lessons was that in order to be accomplished, you should assist and encourage others. His father emphasized to him that by helping others, you also help yourself.
Dr. Okey is married to Hadiza, a lawyer and a partner of 30 years and have three daughters; Tochi a lawyer, Ebele and Dera, both undergraduates, and twin boys Aka and Arize.
Thursday, 29 December 2016
DEMOCRACY, IS THIS THE END? - by Dr. Okey Anueyiagu
 |
| Dr. Okey Anueyiagu |
As Nigerians were celebrating freedom from autocratic
military rule, it appears that the celebration was premature, as the democratic
wave has been detoured by a powerful authoritarian undertow perpetrated by the
political class and their accomplices in the bureaucratic set up.
Electoral fraud all over Nigeria has facilitated in a
rather rapid pace, the dethronement, and if you may, the overthrow and stifling
of democracy. All over the country, there are very severe problems of
governance and very deep pockets of disaffection.
The major problem with Nigeria’s democracy, is the
failure of the state since 1999 to consolidate the gains of the momentum
generated when Obasanjo became president. Emerging democracies must demonstrate
that they can solve their governance problems and meet their citizens’
expectations for freedom, justice, a better life, and a fairer society.
If democracies do not move effectively to contain
crime and corruption, generate economic growth, relieve economic inequality,
and secure freedom and the rule of law, people will eventually lose faith and
turn to authoritarian alternatives. And this is the inevitable way that Nigeria
is going today.
There is absolutely no doubt that democracy is the
best form of government, but struggling democracies, such as Nigeria’s, must be
consolidated so that all levels of society become enduringly committed to ethos
of democracy as enshrined in the
country’s constitutional norms and constraints.
United States then Secretary of State Hilary Clinton
during her last visit to Abuja, reechoed the belief that democracy is in
decline or in recession here, demanding more than superficial electoral
democracy, by holding government accountable for the problem of democratic
dissension.
Considering the strategic importance of Nigeria in the world economic and political arena, many are worried about this trend, and asking how to reverse this democratic recession. Before and from the day Obasanjo allegedly attempted to elongate his mandatory tenure, otherwise known as the “third term”, all manners of the expansion of executive power, the intimidation of the opposition, and the rigging of the electoral process have extinguished even the most basic form of electoral democracy.
Considering the strategic importance of Nigeria in the world economic and political arena, many are worried about this trend, and asking how to reverse this democratic recession. Before and from the day Obasanjo allegedly attempted to elongate his mandatory tenure, otherwise known as the “third term”, all manners of the expansion of executive power, the intimidation of the opposition, and the rigging of the electoral process have extinguished even the most basic form of electoral democracy.
Nigeria as in many other developing democracies, is
plagued by a superficial type of democracy, that is blighted by multiple forms
of bad governance: abusive police and security forces, domineering local
oligarchies, incompetent state bureaucracies, corrupt and in accessible
judiciaries, and venal ruling, elites who are contemptuous of the rule of law
and accountable to no one but themselves. In this country, there are elections,
but they are contests between corrupt, clientelistic parties. There are
parliaments, state and local governments, but they do not represent broad
constituencies. There are constitutions, but not constitutionalism. Is
Democracy not over now?
The level of voters disillusionment and
disenfranchisement has reached a very high pitch, resulting in massive cases of
democratic distress. The biggest challenge for the survival of democracy in
Nigeria lay partly on the willingness of the ruling party to; listen to their
citizens’ voices, engage their participation, tolerate their protests, protect
their freedoms, and respond to their needs.
How do we ensure an enduring democracy in Nigeria. We
must confront the monstrous electoral authoritarianism as practiced by Prof.
Mahmood Yakubu’s INEC. Elections are only democratic if they are truly free and
fair. This requires the freedom to advocate, associate, contest, and campaign. It
also requires a fair and neutral electoral administration, a widely credible
system of dispute resolution, balanced access to mass media, and independent
vote monitoring. By a strict application of these standards, Nigeria may have
slipped below the threshold of a democracy.
Nigeria’s promising democratic experiment has been
gravely ravaged by electoral fraud and endemic corruption. If this experiment
fails, and Nigeria reverts to military rule, descends into political chaos, or
collapses, it will deal a harsh blow to democratic hopes across Africa. Indeed,
the many African countries that remain blatantly authoritarian will never
liberalize if the continent’s new and partial democracies cannot make democracy
work.
I am a strong advocate of the widely held theory that without significant improvements in governance, economic growth will not take off or be sustainable. That without legal and political institutions to control corruption, punish cheating, and ensure a level of economic and political playing field, pro-growth policies will be ineffective and their economic benefits will be overshadowed or erased.
I am a strong advocate of the widely held theory that without significant improvements in governance, economic growth will not take off or be sustainable. That without legal and political institutions to control corruption, punish cheating, and ensure a level of economic and political playing field, pro-growth policies will be ineffective and their economic benefits will be overshadowed or erased.
Nigeria is a tragic case in point. Since the return of
democratic rule in 1999, some achievements have been made in the economic sphere,
but much of this progress has since unraveled amid the paroxysms of ethnic and
religious violence, and by the disruptive militant conflicts in the North, Niger
Delta and South East regions. Government has woefully failed politically, by
condoning or even perpetrating massive electoral malpractice, corruption,
ethnic favouritism – a poisonous mix that has brought a promising new democracy
to the brink of total chaos.
All in all, the consequential failures of our
democratic experiments, are grossly portrayed and projected in the recent
electoral melodramatics in Edo, Ondo and Rivers States. Critics of government
and INEC point to Aso Rock as the autocratic machine spinning violently and virulently
within the electoral power vertical that endangers the political process. These
critics, while admitting that our electoral process, by virtue of the human and
financial investments in it, ought to be, at this stage, fairly developed, or
even highly sophisticated, call the system, useless. In this wise, our
elections are isolated from the process of endowing the polity with power; they
invariably amount to nothing more than expensive rituals of corruption, blood
letting, death and disgraceful concentric tragedies.
Democracy, Is This The End?
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu,
a Political Economist
lives in Ikoyi Lagos.
#DrOkeyAnueyiagu #DrOkey #DrOkey-Anueyiagu
Dr. Okey Anueyiagu,
a Political Economist
lives in Ikoyi Lagos.
#DrOkeyAnueyiagu #DrOkey #DrOkey-Anueyiagu
Media Info: Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR
born circa 5 March 1937) is a former Nigerian Army general who was President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. A Nigerian of Yoruba descent, Obasanjo was a career soldier before serving twice as his nation's head of state. He served as a military ruler from 13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979, and as a democratically elected president from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. From July 2004 to January 2006, Obasanjo also served as Chairperson of the African Union.
Olusegun is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. As a Panel Member he facilitates coalition building to leverage and broker knowledge, and convenes decision-makers to influence policy for lasting change in Africa.
His current home is Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State, where he is a nobleman as the holder of the chieftaincy titles of the Balogun of the Owu Lineage and the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba clan of Yorubaland.
In 1987, his second wife/ex-wife, Lynda, was ordered out of her car by armed men, and was fatally shot for failing to move quickly.[7]
On 23 October 2005, the President lost his wife, Stella Obasanjo, First Lady of Nigeria the day after she had an abdominoplasty in Spain. In 2009, the doctor only known as 'AM' was sentenced to one year in jail for negligence in Spain and ordered to pay restitution to her son of about $176,000.[8] Obasanjo has many children who live throughout Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States.[9]
His son, Dare Obasanjo, is a Principal Program Manager for Microsoft.
to read more : source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olusegun_Obasanjo
born circa 5 March 1937) is a former Nigerian Army general who was President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. A Nigerian of Yoruba descent, Obasanjo was a career soldier before serving twice as his nation's head of state. He served as a military ruler from 13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979, and as a democratically elected president from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. From July 2004 to January 2006, Obasanjo also served as Chairperson of the African Union.
Olusegun is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. As a Panel Member he facilitates coalition building to leverage and broker knowledge, and convenes decision-makers to influence policy for lasting change in Africa.
His current home is Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State, where he is a nobleman as the holder of the chieftaincy titles of the Balogun of the Owu Lineage and the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba clan of Yorubaland.
Family and early life
Ọbasanjọ was born in Ogun State;[5] and grew up in Owu (Abeokuta). His first name, Olusegun, means "The Lord is victorious".[6]In 1987, his second wife/ex-wife, Lynda, was ordered out of her car by armed men, and was fatally shot for failing to move quickly.[7]
On 23 October 2005, the President lost his wife, Stella Obasanjo, First Lady of Nigeria the day after she had an abdominoplasty in Spain. In 2009, the doctor only known as 'AM' was sentenced to one year in jail for negligence in Spain and ordered to pay restitution to her son of about $176,000.[8] Obasanjo has many children who live throughout Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States.[9]
His son, Dare Obasanjo, is a Principal Program Manager for Microsoft.
to read more : source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olusegun_Obasanjo
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