Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has described Azikel Group President, Dr Azibapu Eruani, as a “small boy” she mentored and encouraged to pursue big business.
Jonathan made the remarks during an inspection tour of the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State, alongside other dignitaries. A video from the visit went viral on Thursday.
She recalled introducing Eruani to prominent businessmen including Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata and encouraging him to learn from them despite being the youngest among the group.
“He’s a boy that I brought up. We are always together. Although he’s the little one among us when we are friends — Dangote, Seyi, Dantata, Eruani — among us, he’s the smallest. But I made sure he followed the Dangotes, he followed Dantata.
“Because I’m a woman in their midst, I made sure I told this small boy, ‘Go and follow them, and stop the grammar.’ But when he told me that one day he would be like Dangote, I said, ‘You’re thinking too high.’ I prayed to God to grant him his heart’s desire,” she said.
Jonathan also recalled Eruani’s efforts to secure a refinery licence during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
She said Eruani and others approached her after deciding to apply for refinery licences, but she initially questioned whether the APC-led administration would approve his request.
“During the Buhari administration, he and others came to me and told me they were going to apply for a refinery. I told him, ‘Eruani, your brother, the President, did not give you a refinery.
“Is it the APC government that will give you one?’ I prayed it would happen. But later, they came back and told me they had been given three refineries,” she said.
Azikel Refinery Nears Major Milestone
The inspection coincided with the arrival of the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit, marking a major stage in the development of the $1 billion project.
The 25,000-barrel-per-day facility is a private hydro-skimming refinery designed to process condensate into petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and other petroleum products.
Upon completion, the facility is expected to become Nigeria’s second-largest full-slate refinery and the first major privately owned refinery in the Niger Delta.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, who joined the inspection, commended Eruani for his perseverance.
Ogbuku said he attended the project’s groundbreaking ceremony eight years ago and described the refinery as an inspiration with the potential to attract investment, create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Bayelsa State.
He urged residents, particularly young people, to take advantage of opportunities expected to emerge from the project.
Ogbuku also commended the Bayelsa State Government for improving road infrastructure leading to the refinery and called for continued support for the project.
Governor Douye Diri, represented at the inspection by his deputy, Peter Akpe, has consistently supported the project, which is expected to employ hundreds of workers and contribute to industrial development in the state.
Other dignitaries at the inspection included Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo; Vice President of Azikel Group, Presley Asemota; and Isaac Yalah.
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