Dangote refinery offer will boost investment — ADP VP candidate

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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ABUJA — The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, for the 2027 election, Chinazam Ike, has described the Dangote Refinery public offer as an opportunity for Nigerians to participate in the ownership of a major Nigerian industrial enterprise.

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In a statement signed by Desmond Ehis on behalf of Ike, the ADP candidate said the offer could broaden investment participation and encourage greater interest in productive enterprises.

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Ike also commended the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, for the initiative.

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He said the significance of the public offer went beyond investment, arguing that the growth of major industrial enterprises could have implications for employment, local businesses and economic activity.

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“This is more than an investment conversation. It is also a conversation about ownership, enterprise and the kind of economy we want to build. The opportunity for Nigerians to participate in a major Nigerian industrial enterprise is a development worthy of attention,” he said.

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Ike said the offer could encourage Nigerians to participate more actively in wealth creation by investing in productive businesses.

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According to him, Nigeria needs to develop an investment culture that encourages citizens to participate in businesses rather than remain predominantly consumers of goods and services.

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“A stronger investment culture is good for Nigeria. When citizens have opportunities to participate in productive businesses, they become part of the economic growth story rather than simply observers of it,” he said.

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He, however, advised prospective investors to study the available information and terms of the offer carefully before making investment decisions.

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On the importance of the refinery to the economy, Ike said increased domestic refining capacity could support activities across the petroleum value chain and other sectors.

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He identified transportation, manufacturing, logistics, engineering and related services among the areas that could benefit from increased industrial activity.

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“The economic value of a major industrial project should not be measured only by the value of the company itself. We should also consider the jobs, businesses, skills, services and opportunities that can develop around such an enterprise,” he said.

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Ike said Nigeria needed investments capable of increasing local production, creating employment and strengthening the country’s productive capacity.

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He described Dangote as an example of the scale of private-sector investment in Nigeria, adding that the development of major industrial projects could contribute to the growth of key sectors.

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“Whatever one’s political persuasion may be, we should recognise and encourage productive Nigerian enterprise. Nigeria needs people who are willing to build businesses, create jobs, invest capital and take long-term risks in the Nigerian economy,” he said.

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The ADP candidate called for policies that would encourage private-sector investment in manufacturing, energy, agriculture, technology and infrastructure.

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He said the government had a responsibility to provide an enabling environment for businesses to operate and compete, while private investors should continue to contribute capital and innovation.

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“We need a Nigeria where more people are building, producing, investing and creating wealth. Government must provide the enabling environment, while the private sector must continue to bring capital, innovation and enterprise to the table,” he said.

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Ike congratulated Dangote and the Dangote Group on the public offer, saying it could encourage greater public interest in investment, entrepreneurship and domestic production.

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“We commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote for opening this conversation about broader participation in Nigerian enterprise. Ultimately, Nigeria’s prosperity will depend on our ability to build productive businesses, create opportunities and ensure that more Nigerians participate in the wealth generated by our economy,” he said.

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