Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has praised the Group President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, describing him as a young businessman she mentored and encouraged to pursue major business opportunities.

Jonathan made the remarks on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State. A video of her comments circulated on social media on Thursday.

She recalled introducing Eruani to prominent businessmen, including Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata, and encouraging him to learn from them and pursue his own ambitions.

“He’s a boy that I brought up,” Jonathan said, recalling how she urged Eruani to follow the examples of established businessmen. She added that when he told her he hoped to become as successful as Dangote, she prayed for his ambition to be fulfilled.

Jonathan also recalled Eruani’s efforts to secure refinery licences during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to her, Eruani initially faced difficulties before eventually receiving approval for three refinery projects.

The inspection came as the refinery received its Crude Distillation Unit, marking a major milestone in the development of the $1 billion project.

The 25,000-barrel-per-day facility is a private hydro-skimming refinery designed to process condensate into petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and other petroleum products.

When completed, the refinery is expected to become Nigeria’s second-largest full-slate refinery and the first major privately owned refinery in the Niger Delta.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, who joined the inspection, commended Eruani for his persistence. He said he attended the project’s groundbreaking ceremony eight years ago and described the refinery as a potential catalyst for investment, job creation and economic growth in Bayelsa.

Ogbuku also urged young people in the state to take advantage of opportunities expected to emerge from the project, while commending the Bayelsa State Government for improving road access to the refinery. Governor Douye Diri, represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, has also backed the project.

Other dignitaries at the inspection included the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Azikel Group Vice President Presley Asemota and Isaac Yalah.