By John Ikani
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has showered encomium on the President of the Azikel Group, Dr. Eruani Azibapu as the youngest Nigerian to be awarded the National Honour Award of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Obasanjo in his felicitation letter titled: “Congratulations – 2022 National Honour Award,” said the honour being conferred on the 48-year-old industrialist was well deserved.
He described Dr. Eruani as “a patriotic Nigerian that has the interest of the nation at heart for complementing the federal government efforts at generating and repositioning the nation for stability, growth and sustained development through the establishment of the first private hydro-skimming refinery in Nigeria.”
He was emphatic that the benefit of the Azikel Petroleum Refinery cannot be over-emphasized, as it will help in actualizing the nation’s target of reducing fuel importation, as well as improve retail distribution which will eventually move the nation closet to total independence from importation of refined petroleum products.
Continuing, Obasanjo submitted that Eurani is “a man with indelible records of integrity, probity, accountability, patriotism and an embodiment of professionalism.
He posited that Eruani’s emergence as the youngest Nigerian to bag the prestigious National Award should serve as a call for the industrialist to re-double his effort to the service of the nation and humanity.
“My long association with you leaves me in no doubt that you have richly earned this honour. Even though you have received several honours and meritorious awards in the course of your numerous and meritorious contributions to our nation, I believe you are right in according this honour the pride of place.
“And having been so recognised at this stage of your life and more so as the youngest Nigerian to bag CFR, you will no doubt appreciate that you have been so challenged to redouble your efforts in the service of the nation and humanity as a whole. You cannot rest on your oars.
“I pray that the Almighty Father will grant you many more years of useful service to the nation.”
