Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko ?angote, has explained that his passion for an industrialized Nigeria is the sole reason he doesn’t have houses outside Nigeria.
Speaking during a media parley at the ?angote Petroleum Refinery, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, ?angote revealed that he once had a London house, which he sold in 1996.
He added that the reason he doesn’t have a London or America house is solely because he wanted to focus on industrialization in Nigeria,
as well as using his companies to provide a job opportunity for the youths.
The business mogul emphasized his passion for the Nigerian dream, stating: “I am very passionate about the Nigeria dream, and apart from my Lagos house, I have another one in my home state, Kano and a rented one in Abuja. I figured that if I had those houses, there will be one reason or the other for me to visit those places, thereby causing distraction for me”.
He said that his various companies under the ?angote Group has saved Nigeria from many economic problems and further developed its economic activities through its commercial sector.
Alhaji Aliko ?angote said that his wish is for Nigeria to achieve its goals; for Nigerians to achieve all its dreams, and achieve the development level befitting of its status. He expressed his confidence on the economic future of the country.
?angote added that after the completion of its Diesel plant, the issue of diesel scarcity in Nigeria will become history. He further said that all the activities they are doing are for the people of Nigeria and the country as a whole to progress, and assured Nigerians that they will get relief as soon as the refining of diesel commences.
According to him, when they started the project in April, diesel fuel was sold at N1,700, but now the product’s price does not exceed N1,200, saying, and therefore even if the dollar rises, its diesel price remain as it is.
On the issue of fuel or petrol, Alhaji ?angote said that the Government sets the price of fuel, and therefore, his refinery cannot raise the price. He further explained that at whatever price his company buys crude oil from the government, it we will sell to consumers according to the market value. He said, “I want you to know that there is nothing we can do regarding the petrol sector, because everything is in the hands of the Government”.
Earlier, the Vice President/CEO of ?angoteGroup, Devakumar Edwin, who took journalists from across the country on an inspection tour around the ?angote Refinery, said that the work they have undertaken is a great task unsolicited for cooperation and support of the community to be able to achieve this success.
He said that ?angote is not only in Nigeria, there are countries such as Dubai, Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Tunisia and other countries in the world where his efforts are appreciated.
In her remarks, the Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Fatima ?angote, commended Alhaji ?angote for never giving up on the Nigerian dream.
“I have not seen anyone as hardworking as my father, sometimes I wonder how he never gives up. I wish we have a few more men like my father in Nigeria, the country will be a better place”, she said.
She also said she always wished that if only Nigeria would be lucky to have someone as hardworking and resilient as her father in the country, Nigeria would have since become a historical phenomenon.
Earlier, the Vice President/CEO of ?angote Group, Devakumar Edwin, who took journalists from across the country on an inspection tour around the ?angote Refinery, said that the work they have undertaken is a great task unsolicited for cooperation and support of the community to be able to achieve this success.
He said that the ?angote brand is not only in Nigeria, but that there are countries such as Dubai, Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Tunisia and other countries in the world where his efforts are appreciated.
Journalists also asked ?angote about his view on how some politicians as well as a group of some influential people, who are referred to as cabals, are trying to tarnish his image and see to the downfall of his business, he replied that he knows they exist, but said God will deal with them.
