Ben Murray-Bruce
Ben Murray-Bruce

Nigeria’s entertainment titan and media mogul, Ben Murray-Bruce is without doubt, one of the most colourful Nigerians alive today. As a serving senator too, he has drawn national attention to himself with his “Common Sense” philosophy and advocacy. With his well-sung line, “I just want to make common sense,” he has played the role of the people’s advocate which naturally also makes him a critic of both the government and political establishment.

By a stroke of tragic irony however, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has left many Nigerians confounded with the disclosure of his (or his companies’) debt profile which has led to a court ruling granting the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria leave to appoint a receiver/manager to take over his assets. Bruce, through his companies owed Union Bank of Nigeria PLC N11 billion and when for several years, they could not pay, AMCON had to buy over the loan.

The landmark Silverbird Galleria and other assets of Silverbird Promotions Ltd, Silverbird Showtime Ltd and Silverbird Galleria Ltd in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt were put under lock and key last Thursday. So much so that Bruce’s Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM Radio were off the air for several hours.

The companies’ operations were re-opened on Friday evening but their management and finances are now in the hands of AMCON and its agents.

By every calculation, Ben Murray-Bruce is a man who is down, at least for now. The possibility of his getting back his companies’ assets is obviously not what anyone can predict.

However, in spite of what looks like a huge sink, the essential Ben Murray-Bruce still has his voice. He looks like a great man of faith and he says he believes in Nigeria in spite of all that has happened.

We reproduce here his tweets since last Wednesday, a day to the court judgement which led to his forfeiture of his multi-billion naira assets through the seizure of his properties up till yesterday.

On Wednesday, June 22, he was pre-occupied with the nation’s declining economy and the apparent helplessness or inability of the Federal Government to do what is needed to revive it. He tweeted:

“I appreciate the anti-corruption war, but I wish our media also carry headlines of economic progress instead of incessant arrests by DSS/EFCC.

“We are fixated on anti-corruption and don’t notice what’s going on with our economy.

“The only business booming in Nigeria today is the business of arresting and detaining. I wouldn’t mind if we are arresting economic decline.

“President Obasanjo fought corruption, yet he also grew the economy. And he did this with oil at $15 per barrel. Low oil price is no excuse.”

On Thursday, June 23, apparently reacting to the news of the take-over of his firms’ assets, he tweeted:

“I have been on an international flight and have only just landed. The situation is being resolved and things will be back to normal.

“In 36 years, Silverbird has grown and like anybody, it will face challenges. Tough times don’t last. But we, as tough people, outlast them.

“Irrespective of current challenges, Nigeria is the greatest country in the world and has given my family and I all. I have faith in Nigeria.

“I thank well wishers for their support. This is life. Things will happen. With my firm faith in God and Nigeria, this will be resolved.

“Life continues. I will continue to positively ideate and  brainstorm for the good of Nigeria, the public and my staff family of over 1000.

“Though the road ahead may be tough, I accept responsibility for ensuring we find the light at the end of the tunnel and emerge from it.

On Saturday, June 25, he went philosophical on everything that has happened to him:

“The position we are in in life is not as important as our disposition to life. We fall once or twice. But don’t stay down. Rise after a fall.”

After the above tweet, Bruce went back to more general issues, tweeting in the character of his “Common Sense” advocacy.

“Brexit hit the British economy hard. I’m sure they’ll recover. But what does it mean for Nigeria. It means we’re better as one united nation.”