Again, because Obasanjo sold them before, but Yar’Adua of blessed memory—for his absolute contempt for terror, be it economic terrorism or radical Islamist—reversed the sale in protection of the nation. For those of us who are not too familiar with this event, the usual culprits, Otedola and Dangote actually bought our refineries at the end of Obasanjo’s tenure, in what was recognized as a quick ditching of Nigeria’s assets to “self,” via cronies.
Reuters put it candidly for us then: “Obasanjo ally buys second Nigerian oil refinery” (Reuters) – “Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote has acquired a controlling stake in Nigeria’s third-largest refinery in Kaduna for an undisclosed sum, consolidating his grip on the OPEC member nation’s refining sector. It was the second major refinery purchase in a week by Dangote, who is a major financier of the ruling party and ally of outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo, after he bought the largest refinery in Port Harcourt on May 17.”
The global news agency was obviously passing a message to Nigerians, but as we are now, so we were then, too obstinate to notice and too meek to react.
Reuters further precipitated:
“In the weeks leading up to Obasanjo’s departure, Dangote’s privately held company has also scooped up a cement plant, a telecoms licence and mining concessions in a rush of privatisations that has triggered accusations of cronyism by opposition parties.”
We remember that at the time, it was reported that Dangote gave Obasanjo a $35 million thank you convenience Jet for the many pieces of Nigeria the fresh-made trillionaire, Obasanjo put in his ward.
Perhaps we should not even refer to them as “Nigeria’s” refineries. The way this democratic government sits on and steals the money and sells everything at will, without regard for the people of Nigeria, one thinks, perhaps it is actually theirs; her refinery. Diezani is set to sell her refinery next four months, after she refurbishes her thing.
Now, here is the second most fascinating aspect of this news. She is spending trillions of Nigeria’s, or rather, “her” money to refurbish it first, before selling, as she announced Yesterday.
Why refurbish before selling? Why not sell to them as is for them to fix it?
Well, how about we refresh our memory on how these things work. Backtrack to the sale of the PHCN to the Transcorp boys, this September. DailyTrust headlined it: “Power firms sold for N404bn after gulping N3.2tr.”
So they refurbish “their” thing, with trillions of “their” money, and then sell them to themselves, via their coterie of friends on the outside for one-tenth of the worth, and then they will provide us the mekunu’s (paupers) the service for triple the global rates.
This is not advanced fraud, no. This is simple everyday governance in the world’s most powerful Kleptocratic republic; in history.
There is not much to say about this news. Nigerian masses are sheep, and our military are mice. Of blessed memory are the Ojukwu’s, the Murtala’s, the Fela’s, and the Nzeogwu’s. Regard them or dispute their causes, these men stood up for what they believed, suffered for their beliefs and some were killed for their causes. Some, when they realized the rest of the nation would not follow them, carved their republics within the republic, of the vista that if the rest of the nation choose to be treated as monkeys, we SHALL NOT! Where are such men of our times?
Finally, at a harrowing time like this, permit me to quote from the Bible, from Mahatma Gandhi and the Quran, on the happenings of this time. There is comfort and solace in these words. Please read each through.
2 Timothy (KJV) 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. … 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was. Mahatma Gandhi: “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.”
Quran 40:82 Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more in number than them and mightier in strength and in the traces in the land; yet all they used to earn availed them not.
May the good Lord save us from the Kleptomaniacs In Power.
Yours Truly, Dr. Peregrino Brimah http://ENDS.ng [Every Nigerian Do Something] Email: drbrimah@ends.ng Twitter: @EveryNigerian
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