News
The ‘Foolish Man’ and His Mega Refinery Complex.
Bayo Onanuga
Some years ago, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man invited media leaders to a luncheon at then Protea Hotel in Ikeja to mark his 55th birthday.
Some of his guests sat around him at the centre table. They chatted freely. Discussions about our country, the state of the economy soon veered into discussing the absurdity of our country, being a major crude exporter, and also a major importer of refined petroleum products. Our colleague from a major business paper said the local conditions were unfavourable to any investor who wanted to build a refinery. He then made a remark that I believe he would live to regret: “Only a foolish man will build a refinery in Nigeria”.
Aliko who had listened to all our business and political pontifications, interjected: “I am that foolish man”. A pin drop silence enveloped the table as he dropped the unexpected news: “My company has just decided to build a refinery in the country. But we are doing it big”. Those were his exact words, as the multi-dollar billionaire told us he was willing to spend close to $9 billion on the project.
The media big man became speechless. The rest of us caught the contagion of being flummoxed as well, as Aliko expatiated on the project. He said it will be a petrochemical complex. As the project was still on the drawing board, he did not tell us it will be the biggest refinery in the world, capable of processing 650,000 barrels of crude. All the hint he gave was that it will be ‘big’. Our takeaway was that it will be big like Aliko’s involvement in cement, sugar, pasta and other businesses.
He didn’t say it will include a fertiliser plant and a power plant that can supply enough electricity to Nigeria’s South West, excluding Lagos.
Initially billed for Ogun State, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery surprisingly shifted location to Lagos, just opposite the creek separating the two states. Governor Dapo Abiodun may want to probe his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, why he allowed the complex to move to neighbouring Lagos.
The gigantic project is now sitting in all majesty in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, covering a land area of approximately 2,635 hectares, seven times the size of Victoria Island.
The complex is the world’s Largest Single-Train 650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refinery with 900 KTPA Polypropylene Plant.
It comes with a 435 MW Power Plant, which will be able to meet the total power requirement of Ibadan DisCo of 860,316 MWh covering five States including Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and Ekiti.
The refinery, according to its fact sheet, can meet 100% of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products, including Gasoline,Diesel, Kerosene, and Aviation Jet.
It will also be able to produce surplus of each of these products for export.
Designed for 100% Nigerian Crude, the refinery has flexibility to process other crudes. No wonder it is located near the sea shore.
Today President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the gigantic petrochemical complex.
Just as we rejoice with Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group family, we need to give kudos to the Buhari administration for ensuring that the complex comes to fruition, by ensuring that it was not starved of needed foreign exchange and taking a stake in it.
For Aliko, all is well that ends well. The complex will bring to an end our country’s many decades of shame, for being unable to refine its crude and having to depend on importation, wasting scarce forex.
The ‘foolish man’ of 11 years ago has demonstrated once again that he is a man of wisdom, a peerless shrewd investor who sees clearly the ‘bigger picture’, when his compatriots are bogged down by parochialism and immediate monetary gains.
By: Divine Perezide
Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, was thrown into tension on Monday following the arrest of a traditional figure amid an ongoing leadership dispute in the Tarakiri Clan.
According to information obtained by Iduwini Ibe Reporters, Ebikabowei Samuel, who is known as the Agadagba of Tarakiri Egbesu, was apprehended by security operatives over allegations of impersonating the throne of the Ibenanaowei of Tarakiri Clan, a position currently occupied by His Royal Majesty, Dr Seiyefa Koroye.
The arrest reportedly took place during a coronation-related ceremony in the community. Eyewitnesses said security personnel fired tear gas to disperse the crowd while effecting the arrest, leading to panic among residents and guests at the venue.
Sources within the community further disclosed that military personnel have allegedly imposed a curfew in Toru-Orua, restricting movement in and out of the town until further notice, as a precautionary measure to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
As at the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the security agencies or the Bayelsa State Government regarding the incident or the reported curfew.
See video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/174WNYZHr4/
The Tarakiri Clan has in recent times been embroiled in leadership disputes, raising concerns among stakeholders over peace and stability in the area. Community leaders have called for calm, urging residents to allow lawful processes to prevail while authorities address the matter.
News
Otuaro, Eradiri, Media & Policy Leaders Unite as Ijaw Media Conference Seek to Defend Niger Delta Resources
By: Favour Bibaikefie
As environmental degradation deepens and community livelihoods face growing threats, the second edition of the Ijaw Media Conference is being positioned as a strategic platform to redefine accountability, policy engagement and responsible reportage in the Niger Delta.
Organised by the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), the conference will hold on December 17, 2025, at the KFT Event Centre, Warri, under the theme “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.” The theme reflects increasing concern over pollution, land loss and the long-term sustainability of the region’s land and waterways.
The appointment of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, as Chairman of the conference signals a deliberate effort to align media advocacy with policy leadership. Organisers say protecting the Niger Delta requires strong collaboration between government institutions, host communities and a proactive, development-focused media.
In a statement signed by the planning committee chairman, Pastor Arex Akemotubo, and secretary, Tare Magbei, the IPF stressed that the media must rise beyond routine reporting to actively shape public discourse, demand accountability and amplify credible voices on environmental governance.
Ambassador Dr Godknows Igali, former Nigerian envoy to Scandinavian countries, will deliver the keynote address, expected to offer global perspectives on sustainable resource management. The lead presentation will be delivered by Engr Udengs Eradiri, former president of the Ijaw Youth Council, who is expected to address governance gaps, environmental justice and the responsibility of leaders and the media.
Legislative backing will be evident with the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, attending as Special Guest of Honour, while leaders from the Ijaw National Congress, Ijaw Youth Council, DESOPADEC, academia, waterways security and the private sector will serve as Guests of Honour.
Traditional institutions will also lend moral authority to the conference, with the Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, HRM Pere Luke Kalanama VIII, serving as Royal Father of the Day, and Chief Tunde Smooth, the Bolowei of the Niger Delta, as Father of the Day.
The IPF said the conference aims to strengthen investigative journalism, promote responsible environmental reporting and galvanise collective action to protect the Niger Delta, warning that inaction today could mortgage the future of generations yet unborn.
HIGH CHIEF SUNNY GBEGHA JP CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S ACADEMIC MILESTONES
By: Daire Perez
Okija, Anambra State – Father and community leader, High Chief Sunny Gbegha JP, the Egbakarewei of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, has expressed immense joy and gratitude to God as his daughter, Miss Gbegha Tamarauikiye Favour, successfully completed notable academic milestones at Madonna University, Okija.
Miss Favour graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance, earning an impressive Second-Class Upper (2.1) classification. Going a step further in her academic pursuit, she has also obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance from the same institution.
This has received warm reactions from family and friends with many congratulating the young lad. I a message filled with joy, High Chief Gbegha described his daughter’s achievements as a testament to hard work, discipline, and divine grace. He noted that her academic excellence brings honour not only to their family but also to the wider community.
Community members, friends, and well-wishers have continued to congratulate Miss Favour for her outstanding accomplishments, celebrating her as an inspiration to young scholars across the region.
IduwiniVoice joins in this congratulations to our shining young lady.
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