Dangote Refinery Must Work
I have never been a fan of Aliko Dangote. But let’s be objective for once. No matter the negative energies some people may be exuding against Dangote, there are certain positives you just can’t take away from him. I still see him as one of the most patriotic Nigerians of our time. He may be considered a member of any government in power, except, of course, the current administration. Some may see him as a profiteer. But he has over the years relatively proved himself a worthy and highly disciplined citizen.
He is acclaimed to be the richest man in Africa. Yet, he is not living in the most luxurious house on the continent. He is not driving the sleekest car. He doesn’t move about in an outrageous convoy; neither is he living the most outlandish lifestyle. He lives simple. And eats simple.
He is not engaging in reckless ostentation, like many politicians feeding fat from the public till. Though he has the resources, he is not known to marry 700 wives, or parade 300 concubines, like some bigoted thieving politicians would do. We hardly hear of him parading garrulous and flamboyant brats, in the name of children, who celebrate their frivolous parties mid-air in private jets. For this business mogul, moderation has been his spice of life.
If Dangote, at any time, seemed to have adopted some rough tactics or tackles against his opponents, along his business lines, one could excuse him. Any other businessman in his shoe would probably do worse things, if given the advantage.
Above all, Dangote appears to be the greatest indigenous private-sector investor in the the Nigerian economy. Rather than using his resources to buy yachts, limousines and properties abroad; or stashing away his hard currencies in Swiss bank accounts for his generations yet unborn (like many politicians persecuting him are doing), Dangote uses his money to build factories that put food on the table for hundreds of thousands of Nigerian men and women. And even non-Nigerians. In fact, his chains of businesses unquestionably and unarguably constitute the highest private-sector employer of Labour in the country. As a businessman, he is entitled to make his profits in any and every legitimate way.
Therefore, whatever politics the wheelers and dealers of the Nigerian State are playing, Dangote’s refinery must not die. It must work! Otherwise, it would serve as a great disincentive to both local and foreign investors in the Nigerian economy.
