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Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Chairman of Silverbird Group in a chat with The Guardian has said that “with God’s help” he will overcome the setback his business is facing.

Recall that on Thursday, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over most of his company’s assets over an N11bn debt he owed.

A Federal High Court in Lagos gave the order to have AMCON take over companies owned by the senator.

The affected assets were Silverbird Galleria Limited located at 133 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, Plot No 1161 (Silverbird Galleria); Silverbird Promotions Limited located at Central Area Cadastral Zone AOO, Abuja; and Silverbird Showtime Limited located at Abonnema Wharf Road and Abali Park in Port Harcourt City of Rivers State.

“In 1939, Awolowo’s assets were auctioned. But he overcame the setback. With God’s help, I will also.

I run several successful firms. Only the real estate division is affected. Our other businesses are not. Silverbird Communications, owners of STV, Rhythm FM, Silverbird Cinemas and Film Distribution are not affected,” he said.

Reacting to an alleged comment credited to Kunle Adegoke, an attorney working with Muiz Banire, SAN (the debt recovery manager appointed by AMCON) who had accused the senator of “living large and feeding fat without recourse to the interest of the real labourers who own the money,” the Bayelsa senator said:

Our habit of celebrating downfall has to be purged from our national psyche for Nigeria to grow.

There is no shame in taking a loan. If I didn’t take loans I wouldn’t be able to employ 1000 Nigerians.

The man accusing me of living large: Sir, I lived large by paying 1000 Nigerians above minimum wage.

Bruce added that his business will succeed despite the ongoing economic crisis. “The Naira must pursue made in Nigeria goods, not foreign goods for our currency and economy to grow,” he added.