Patience Jonathan: I Mentored Azikel Refinery Boss Eruani From ‘Small Boy’ to Big Businessman

Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has described Azikel Group President, Dr Azibapu Eruani, as a young man she mentored and encouraged to become one of Nigeria’s prominent businessmen.

Jonathan made the remarks on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State. A video from the event went viral on Thursday.

She said she personally introduced Eruani to prominent businessmen, including Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata, and encouraged him to learn from them despite being much younger.

Jonathan recalled that Eruani once told her he wanted to attain Dangote’s level of business success. Although she initially considered the ambition lofty, she said she encouraged him to pursue it and prayed for his aspirations to become reality.

“He’s a boy that I brought up. We are always together,” she said, describing Eruani as the youngest among the businessmen in their circle.

The former First Lady also recalled Eruani’s efforts to obtain approval to establish a refinery during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to her, Eruani and others approached her after deciding to apply for refinery licences. She initially questioned whether the administration would approve the project, but later learnt that three refinery licences had been granted.

The inspection came as the refinery received its Crude Distillation Unit, marking a major milestone in the development of the facility.

The $1bn Azikel Refinery is a 25,000-barrel-per-day private hydro-skimming refinery designed to process condensate into petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and other petroleum products.

The facility is expected to become Nigeria’s second-largest full-slate refinery and the first major privately owned refinery in the Niger Delta.

Also speaking during the inspection, Niger Delta Development Commission Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Samuel Ogbuku commended Eruani for his persistence in developing the project.

Ogbuku recalled attending the refinery’s groundbreaking ceremony eight years ago, describing the project as an inspiration and potential catalyst for investment, employment and economic growth in Bayelsa.

He urged residents, particularly young people, to take advantage of the opportunities expected to emerge from the refinery.

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 by his deputy, Peter Akpe, has consistently supported the refinery project, which is expected to create hundreds of jobs and contribute to industrial development in the state.

Other dignitaries at the inspection included King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers; Presley Asemota, Vice President of Azikel Group; and Isaac Yalah.