Former Nigerian first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has said she mentored the Group President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, from a young businessman she described as a “small boy” into one of Nigeria’s prominent entrepreneurs.
Mrs Jonathan recently made the disclosure during an inspection tour of the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State, in a video that went viral on Thursday.
She said her guidance and encouragement helped Eruani develop the confidence to pursue major business ventures at a relatively young age.
The former First Lady said she introduced Eruani to prominent Nigerian businessmen, including Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata, and encouraged him to learn from them and aspire to attain their level of success. She recalled that Eruani once told her he hoped to become like Dangote, a goal she initially considered ambitious but later prayed he would achieve.
“He is a boy that I brought up. We are always together. Although he is the little one among us when we are friends — Dangote, Seyi, Dantata, Eruani. Among us, he is the smallest. But I made sure he followed the Dangotes,” Jonathan said.
She also recounted Eruani’s efforts to secure approval for refinery projects, saying he and others approached her during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari after deciding to apply for refinery licences.
According to her, she initially doubted whether Eruani would succeed in obtaining a refinery licence under the Buhari administration, especially after his attempts during the previous administration had not produced the desired result. She said she nevertheless prayed for the project to succeed.
Jonathan recalled that Eruani and his colleagues later returned with news that they had secured approval for three refineries, describing the development as a significant achievement in his business journey.
The inspection tour coincided with the arrival of the Crude Distillation Unit for the Azikel Refinery, a major component of the $1bn project. The 25,000 barrels-per-day facility is a privately owned hydro-skimming refinery designed to process condensate into petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and other petroleum products.
The refinery is expected to become Nigeria’s second-largest full-slate refinery and the first major privately owned refinery in the Niger Delta. Its development is also projected to support industrialisation, employment and investment opportunities in Bayelsa State.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, who participated in the inspection, commended Eruani for sustaining the project. Ogbuku said he attended its groundbreaking ceremony eight years ago and described the refinery as an inspiration and potential catalyst for economic growth.
He urged residents, particularly young people, to take advantage of the opportunities expected to emerge from the project while commending the Bayelsa State Government for improving road infrastructure leading to the refinery site.
Governor Douye Diri, represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, has also 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 traditional rulers and senior officials of Azikel Group.
