Let Aliko Dangote Breathe

The level of bad bele against this Alhaji is really giving me concern. Giant multinationals are running away from a tanking economy, others are just carting funds away – have you heard that 200 Nigerian politicians have been reported to own billions of top-notch real estate in Dubai – and now this one has put his faith, all of his wealth and his huge reputation to drop such a gigantic edifice that is impacting very succinctly on the economy in various ways, and all we can hear are snide comments and barbaric intents towards the man and his structures.

During the week, Dangote group cried out that the IOCs were depriving him of supply and were also playing games with pricing, making him go as far afield as the US to get supplies, thereby messing up their permutations. He further went ahead to say that one government parastatal was throwing up kobo kobo licences to all sorts who are now bringing in low-quality diesel, thereby negatively impacting their ability to compete.

Immediately, and as expected, the defence came from the bodies accused and I strongly defended Dangote’s refinery. My argument was simple: the need for national protection of this business because of its contributions to revenue mobilisation, job creation, and infrastructural development to mention a few.

Furthermore, I stated that the only way this Baba can be rewarded for his faith in this nation is for the government to turn to his Chief Marketing Officer; by headlining his contract negotiations, giving him favourable policy waivers and, in fact, not only him but any serious indigenous business concern as a way of refitting confidence into the system.

Come and see abuse. The volleys at me were crazy. Edgar, Baba likes to do monopoly. He now wants monopoly and we cannot give him. Edgar, don’t call my name o but I have been in the industry for over 30 years and I can tell you that Dangote is talking rubbish. There is no low-quality diesel in the country. They started sending me all sorts of negative write-ups about Aliko, his businesses and his life.

And then the next day, fire entered the premises. Na wa oooo, I screamed.

Let me state it here very categorically, if you expect me to be balanced, don’t send me material and say “Don’t mention my name.” That is cowardly. So, I will now like mumu carry information and say “sources,” so when wahala come, I will hold sources and my big head and enter prison.

But seriously, my point is that the Dangote refinery needs protection. Its share size and disruptive nature on markets will certainly attract daggers from entrenched interests and if the government doesn’t really stand to build a cocoon around it, we just may be lamenting over another powerful dream gone down. God forbid!

As for the rest of you social media commentators who cannot even run a small Indomie distribution shed on your street but will be inundating me with analysis of how Dangote is a mob star and the rest, and begging me not to mention your names, I warn you to desist otherwise, I will release your nudes o…