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Grenada PM says Dangote Refinery will save Africa from being a Dumping Ground

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DSC4451: L-R: President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote and Prime Minister, Grenada and Chairman CARICOM, Hon. Dickon Mitchell, during the Prime Minister’s visit to Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki, on Friday October 10, 2024.

The Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a significant investment in industrialisation and manufacturing needed by developing countries for their industrial growth.

He noted that it is through this type of investment that Africa and the developing countries can reverse the cycle of exporting raw materials while importing finished products from developed countries.

This is as Dangote hinted at potential partnerships with the Caribbean community in the production of cement and fertilisers as well as petroleum products.

Mitchell, who is the chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM or CC) – a political and economic union of 15 member states and five associated members throughout the Americas, The Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean, disclosed this on Thursday during his tour of the Dangote Petroleum refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

Mitchell said the investment is a tribute to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and his vision not just for Nigeria but Africa as a whole.

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“This investment is a tribute to Dangote and his remarkable vision. It is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, symbolising what the developing world needs: significant investment in industrialisation and manufacturing. This is an incredible achievement and a testament to Mr. Dangote’s vision, not just for his company, but for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“Dangote exemplifies what an African leader should be. We need not just political leaders, but business leaders who are willing to invest in Africa, particularly in manufacturing and industrialisation. We must ensure that we don’t continue to export our raw materials to the developed world, where they can be turned into sophisticated products and sent back to us. We need to reverse that cycle; it is the only way to grow the wealth of Africa and the developing world. Additionally, we need to support this with training and invest in job opportunities,” he said.

Applauding the sophistication and automation at the refinery, the Prime Minister expressed optimism for Nigeria’s future, especially given the number of young Nigerians trained and working at both the refinery and fertiliser plants. The $20 billion refinery, the largest private investment in Africa, stands out for its team of young professionals, predominantly aged between 26 and 28, most of whom hold advanced degrees and were educated in Nigeria.

“It has been a wonderful experience to witness the shared skills, depth of sophistication, and automation here. Seeing so many bright young Nigerians, particularly in the laboratories, is truly inspiring. I believe this bodes well for the future development of Nigeria,” he added.

Mitchell stated that the Caribbean Community would be exploring partnership opportunities with the Dangote Group to enhance its economy.

“One of the reasons I am here is to pursue synergies and partnerships between the diaspora and Africa, particularly in areas such as the refinery, cement, and fertiliser. We believe there are fantastic opportunities to develop partnerships between the Caribbean and Africa,” he added.

On his part, Dangote described the visit as symbolic, noting that many Caribbean countries are beginning to discover crude oil and are exploring opportunities to build their own refineries. This would help them address the challenge of exporting crude while importing refined petroleum products at high costs.

“The visit shows that many countries are proud of what we have been able to achieve because a lot of countries have been unable to deliver their refineries. It shows their pride in seeing a Black person like them at the Caribbean, although I am from Nigeria, succeed. For them, this is a dream, especially as many Caribbean countries are beginning to discover oil but still depend largely on exporting crude while importing petroleum products, which is costlier than in America. Their dream is to set up a refinery—perhaps not of this size—but one that would cater to their people,” he said.

Africa’s wealthiest man emphasized that the company is looking for partnerships in the Caribbean not only in petroleum products but also in cement and fertilizer production. He mentioned ongoing discussions about importing crude from these countries while supplying them with refined products.

“There are numerous partnerships in place. He is not only the Prime Minister of Grenada but also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). We are exploring collaboration in areas such as cement and petroleum, including the possibility of buying crude from them while selling some of our petroleum products to them. We already export to the U.S., Mexico, and other regions, so there is significant collaboration we are looking to develop between us and them,” he added.

The 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dangote Oil Refinery—the largest single-train refinery in the world—is designed to process a wide variety of crude oils, including those from Africa, the Middle East, and US Light Tight Oil. It conforms to Euro V specifications and is built to meet stringent standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European emission norms, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA). The refinery has the capacity to satisfy 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel, with additional surplus available for export.

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Court stops Kano businessman from selling multi-million naira property in contention

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A Kano High Court sitting in Gezawa has granted an order restraining a businessman, Tajudeen Olalekan Adeoye from selling or transferring a multi-million naira house situated at Plot 382, Divine Estate in Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice.

SolaceBase reports that the suit was instituted by Hajiya Kudirat Shuaibu Akaje against Tajudeen Olalekan Adeoye as first defendant, AVM A.M Sadiq(RTD) as the Second defendant and Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning as the third defendant.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahiru Mohammed on October also ordered the pasting of a caveat on the conspicuous part of the property situated at Divine Estate, Jaba, Fagge local government of Kano State covered by C of O No. LKN?RES/2010/4431.

The court granted the order after listening to counsel of the plaintiff, Barr. AbdulHafees D. Khalid.

The matter was later adjourned to November, 1st, 2024.

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Truck Crushes 9 to Death in Nigerian State

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Nine people, including a primary school pupil and her mother, lost their lives, and several others were critically injured in an early morning road crash at Oke-Elesin, Amuloko, in the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State on Monday.

The accident involved two trucks loaded with soda drinks and tiles, along with two tricycles popularly known as “Keke Marwa.”

According to eyewitness accounts, one of the trucks lost control while descending the popular Oke-Elesin hill and ran over other vehicles, including the Keke Marwa.

It was reported that six of the victims died on the spot, while the injured are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.
An eyewitness added, “The accident occurred early this morning. It was caused by brake failure on the truck as it descended the slope of the road. After losing control, it crushed a tricycle, or Keke NAPEP. Another lorry, carrying soft drinks, was following closely behind and, in an attempt to avoid the truck in front, collided with and crushed another Keke MA PEP.”

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We learned that six people died, while five others were injured. They have all been taken away from the scene.”

Giving his account of the incident, the Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, Dr. Raji Wale, confirmed that four patients were brought to his hospital.
Giving his account of the incident, the Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, Dr. Raji Wale, confirmed that four patients were brought to his hospital.

“The accident occurred early this morning. Six victims were brought in with varying degrees of injuries, and some were taken to other hospitals. We managed to treat those brought here. Two were treated as outpatients and have been stabilized and discharged. Two children are still here. I was informed that one of the children was in the Keke NAPEP with his mother, who died.”
“The other two, with severe injuries, have been admitted and are being treated. They have been stabilized, and we are continuing their care,” Dr. Raji added.

When contacted, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Oyo State, Mrs. Rosemary Alo, confirmed the accident.

However, she stated that the accident would be officially confirmed after receiving a briefing from her officers in the field.

 

Kano reporters

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Governor Abba Yusuf Appointed NUJ Grand Patron, Reaffirms Support for Media

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In recognition of his enduring commitment to the media and his administration’s friendly policies towards journalists, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has been appointed as the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The honor was conferred upon him during a ceremony held at the Kano Government House.

The National President of the NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, presented the letter of appointment to the governor, lauding his efforts as one of the most media-friendly governors in the country. Isiguzo praised Yusuf’s long-standing relationship with journalists, citing his role during his tenure as Commissioner for Works in the Kwankwaso administration, where he led the renovation of the Kano Press Center, including the interlocking of the premises.

This appointment is a recognition of your unwavering support for the media community, not just in Kano but across the country,” Isiguzo remarked. “Your rapport with journalists has been exemplary, and we hope this relationship continues to grow stronger.”

Chief Isiguzo also called on Governor Yusuf to reinvest in the press center and support further development of the journalism profession. He urged the governor to enhance the capacity of journalists through training programs, both domestically and internationally, and to support Kano’s delegates as they prepare for the upcoming National Triennial Delegates Conference in Owerri, Imo State.

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Responding to the honor, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed his gratitude to the NUJ for appointing him as their Grand Patron. He emphasized the critical role of the media in democracy, referring to journalists as “partners in progress” and recognizing their place as the “fourth estate of the realm.”

We acknowledge the vital role journalists play in our democracy, and I assure you of my administration’s continued support at both the state and national levels,” Yusuf said. “Our goal is to provide a conducive environment where journalists can carry out their duties without fear or favor, and we will continue to work together for the benefit of our state and the nation.”

Governor Yusuf’s pledge to strengthen the relationship between his administration and the media was well received by the NUJ delegation, which included key officials such as Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, Deputy National President and candidate in the upcoming NUJ national elections, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, Chairman of the Kano NUJ Chapter, and Sayyada Bahijja Malam Kabara, Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Kano.

Also present at the event was Kano State Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, MON, who highlighted the governor’s longstanding dedication to media development in Kano.

The appointment of Governor Yusuf as NUJ Grand Patron underscores his administration’s efforts to maintain an open and productive relationship with the media, further cementing his status as a leader who values the importance of a free and responsible press in fostering national development.

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