Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has recounted her longstanding relationship with Azikel Group President, Dr Azibapu Eruani, saying she played a role in mentoring him from his younger years into the successful businessman he is today.
Jonathan made the revelation during an inspection tour of the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State, where she joined other dignitaries to assess progress on the major industrial project. Her comments were contained in a video that went viral on Thursday.
According to the former First Lady, Eruani was once the “small boy” among a circle of prominent businessmen, including Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata. She said she encouraged him to associate with the established business leaders and learn from them.
Jonathan recalled that Eruani once told her he hoped to become as successful as Dangote. Although she initially considered the ambition overly lofty, she said she encouraged him to pursue his dreams and prayed that he would eventually achieve them.
Her account offers an insight into the personal relationships and mentorship that she believes contributed to Eruani’s development as an entrepreneur. Rather than simply offering encouragement, Jonathan said she deliberately pushed the younger businessman to observe and learn from some of Nigeria’s most successful industrialists.
Eruani has since built the Azikel Group into a diversified business conglomerate with interests in several sectors. The group’s refinery project in Bayelsa has become one of the most closely watched private industrial developments in the Niger Delta.
The inspection also marked a major moment for the refinery, with the arrival of its Crude Distillation Unit. The facility is designed as a 25,000-barrel-per-day private hydro-skimming refinery capable of processing condensate into products including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene. It is projected to become Nigeria’s second-largest full-slate refinery and the first major privately owned refinery in the Niger Delta.
Jonathan also recalled Eruani’s efforts to obtain a refinery licence. She said that when Eruani and others approached her during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari about their plans to establish refineries, she questioned whether the administration would approve their applications.
According to her, Eruani eventually returned with news that three refinery licences had been granted.
The project has attracted considerable attention in Bayelsa, where supporters believe the refinery could contribute significantly to industrialisation, employment and economic development. During the inspection, NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Ogbuku, described the project as an inspiration and potential catalyst for investment and job creation in the state.
Post a Comment