By John Ikani
President Muhammadu Buhari will confer the National Honour of Commander of the order of the Federal Republic (CFR) of Nigeria on the owner/chief executive officer of Azikel Refinery, Dr. Eruani Azibapu.
The event to be held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja on October 11, will see the 48-year-old billionaire businessman become the youngest ever recipient of Nigeria’s highest honour conferred on any citizen for his/her contributions to the development of the country.
The CFR honour ranks below Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) bestowed on the president and vice president respectively.
According to the letter conveying the national award to Dr Eruani, the President approved the honour to be conferred on him in line with the National Honours Act No 5 of 1964.
The conferment notice was signed by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume.
Born on December 25, 1973 to the royal family of King Allwell Eruani, Aguda IX, the Obenema of Emadike Kingdom in Bayelsa State, Dr. Eruani pioneered the establishment of in-country petroleum refining by setting up the first private Hydroskimming Refinery in Nigeria.
With an output of 25,000 barrels per day, Azikel Refinery brings to reality President Buhari’s Modular Refinery Regime launched in 2015.
His business interests, which started with Dredging and Sandfilling, include power, aviation, oil and gas and technology.
It is worthwhile to note that the industrialist is a recipient of US Consulate award of Business Excellency, Innovation and International Partnership.
Joining Dr. Eruani to also receive the CFR national award are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajaiamila; his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan.
Others are the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (retired); former CEO/Managing Director/Founder of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia; Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Oluwole Olanipekun SAN; economist, and philanthropist, Mr Tony Elumelu as well as serving and retired military officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, business executives, traditional rulers among others.
