Femi Otedola Congratulates Dangote As Refinery Begins Manufacturing Of Petroleum Merchandise

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola has congratulated his good friend and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as his refinery, Dangote Refinery, positioned in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, begins the manufacturing of petroleum merchandise.

My Expensive Brother Aliko,

Before everything, I need to prolong my heartfelt congratulations to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering assist and perception in actualizing this monumental achievement below his administration. Today belongs to each Nigerian who has dared to dream of a greater future. Congratulations to our nice nation—right now, all of us stand slightly taller.

Aliko, it appears like simply yesterday, nevertheless it has been 25 lengthy years since we first set our sights on remodeling Nigeria’s power panorama. I bear in mind vividly once we arrange the Blue Star Consortium to accumulate stakes within the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries—20% for me and 51% for you. We have been prepared to vary the sport, however destiny had different plans. The federal government of the day, in an act I can solely describe as totally obnoxious, canceled our stakes and thwarted our imaginative and prescient. However, as all the time, you refused to be deterred.

You by no means gave up on the dream we shared. You carried the torch ahead, igniting a spark that has right now develop into a roaring flame. And now, 25 years later, right here we stand on the precipice of historical past, with the primary gasoline cargo from the Dangote Refinery—a feat that’s nothing wanting miraculous.

Whereas the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries have remained dormant, their promise unfulfilled regardless of billions of {dollars} spent on so-called turn-around upkeep, you’ve gotten achieved what many stated was unattainable. You might have overwhelmed all of the skeptics, silenced the naysayers, and proved flawed those that doubted your resolve, even those that by no means wished this challenge to succeed.

You haven’t simply constructed a refinery; you’ve gotten liberated us from the chains of financial dependence which have held this nation again for much too lengthy. The times of bowing to overseas powers for our gasoline wants are over, because of your imaginative and prescient and willpower. You might have dealt a demise blow to the so-called native cabals who’ve fattened themselves for years, feeding off our nation’s financial slavery. These cabals, who’ve grown wealthy by conserving Nigeria in a perpetual state of dependence, should now face the truth that their period of straightforward beneficial properties is coming to an finish.

I’m reminded of the time you revolutionized the cement trade in Nigeria. Ships that after introduced in cement changed into rusting relics, scraps of a bygone period. Now, together with your refinery in full swing, I foresee the same destiny for gasoline imports. The depot house owners ought to take heed—it’s time to dismantle these depots and promote them as scraps whereas the market remains to be excessive. The world has modified, and people who don’t adapt might be left behind.

Once I ventured into the depot enterprise with Zenon, it was in response to the inefficiencies of the NNPC. Zenon pioneered the diesel enterprise in Nigeria and shortly turned the most important within the nation, filling the gaps left by our inefficient system. However right now, your refinery stands as a beacon of what’s potential when one has the audacity to dream and the tenacity to see it via.

Aliko, you’ve gotten my deepest admiration and respect. Congratulations to you and all the board, administration and workers of Dangote Refinery on this monumental achievement. This isn’t only a victory for you however for each Nigerian who dares to dream. Might this be only the start of even better issues to return.

With profound respect and warmest regards,

F. Ote$