Emefiele, Peter Obi, Otedola, others attend commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery

The nation’s who’s who on Monday gathered at the Free Trade Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos for the commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Among them are the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; billionaire Femi Otedola, chairman of Eleganza Group, Rasaq Okoya and wife Shade; presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 poll, Peter Obi; and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Also present is Arise TV chairman, Nduka Obaigbena; governorship candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming poll in Kogi State, Dino Melaye; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his brother Adedeji.

Others present are Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former governor of Delta State, James Ibori; governor-elect of Abia State, Alex Otti; and minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed.

The royal fathers present are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero; Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikateland; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

Presidents of Togo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma; Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo; President of Senegal, Macky Sall; President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, President of Chad, Mahamat Déby are also present.

The refinery, promoted by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). It sits on 2,635 hectares of land and will provide employment to over 100,000 persons.

The refinery is expected to meet the needs of Nigerian consumers and those in neighbouring countries while allowing for exports beyond the African continent. The refinery will drive the promotion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as over 50 countries in the trade bloc depend on imported refined petroleum products.