A northern socio-political and economic advocacy group, Arewa 100% Focus, has condemned what it described as the victimisation and orchestrated hostility against the Dangote Refinery and its founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
In a statement signed by its president, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Sa’ad (Fakai), the group said the ongoing dispute between the Dangote Group and PENGASSAN, along with other forms of antagonism directed at Dangote, was unjust and against the national interest.
The group said rather than persecution, the industrialist deserves national recognition and respect for his contributions to Nigeria’s economic transformation and industrial development.
“Such hostility toward a man whose vision, enterprise, and investments have catalysed Nigeria’s industrial transformation is unpatriotic and detrimental to national interest,” the statement read.
Arewa 100% Focus also denounced what it termed deliberate attempts to sabotage or discredit the Dangote Refinery through misinformation and economic hostility, warning that such actions could undermine a strategic national asset.
The group described the Dangote Refinery as a symbol of national pride and a testament to African innovation and industrial capacity, noting that the facility had played a vital role in addressing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum challenges and promoting self-sufficiency.
It called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory bodies to protect the refinery from undue interference, intimidation, or sabotage, stressing that the refinery represents a critical pillar of Nigeria’s industrial sustainability.
The group further appealed to the media and civil society organisations to uphold fairness and responsibility in their coverage of issues surrounding the refinery, cautioning against manipulative narratives that could erode public confidence.
“Responsible reportage is essential to protect one of Africa’s greatest industrial achievements and prevent the erosion of public trust in a project that holds immense national value,” the group said.
Arewa 100% Focus reaffirmed its commitment to continuous advocacy, public enlightenment, and monitoring of developments affecting the refinery, adding that it would continue to support policies that promote industrial transformation and job creation.
The group said it would also engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s private sector continues to thrive as a driver of economic growth and national self-reliance.
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