Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has spoken about her long-standing relationship with Azikel Group President, Dr Azibapu Eruani, crediting her encouragement and mentorship as part of his journey into major business.
Jonathan made the remarks during a visit to the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State, where she joined other dignitaries to inspect the $1bn facility.
Speaking in a video that later gained attention online, she recalled that Eruani was considerably younger than the influential businessmen he associated with and said she encouraged him to learn from established entrepreneurs.
She said she introduced him to prominent businessmen such as Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata, urging him to observe their business methods and aim for similar achievements.
“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.
She also spoke about Eruani’s attempt to secure approval for refinery projects under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Jonathan, Eruani and others approached her after deciding to apply for refinery licences. She said she initially questioned whether the government at the time would approve the request, but the outcome eventually exceeded expectations.
“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.
The comments were made as the latest stage of development at the Azikel Refinery was being inspected. The facility has received its Crude Distillation Unit, regarded as an important step towards completing the project.
With a planned capacity of 25,000 barrels per day, the private refinery is designed to process condensate into products including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene.
Once operational, the facility is expected to become one of the major privately owned refineries in the Niger Delta and contribute to industrial activity in Bayelsa.
NDDC Managing Director and CEO, Samuel Ogbuku, who participated in the inspection, commended Eruani for his persistence with the project.
Ogbuku said he attended the refinery’s groundbreaking ceremony eight years ago and described the development as capable of attracting investment, creating employment and stimulating economic growth in the state.
He also encouraged residents, particularly young people, to prepare to benefit from opportunities that could arise from the refinery.
The NDDC boss further praised the Bayelsa State Government for improving access roads to the refinery and called for continued assistance towards the project.
Governor Douye Diri, represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, was also represented at the inspection, while other dignitaries included traditional rulers and senior officials of Azikel Group.
