Aare Afe Babalola, an elder statesman and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s monopoly on petrol sales from the Dangote refinery.
Babalola, who expressed discontent with petroleum price hikes, particularly the current one by NNPC, urged governments through their policies and actions “not to turn Nigerians into beggars.”
There was no begging or theft in this country in those days.” The elder statesman spoke in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, on Saturday, immediately after receiving the ‘Outstanding Achiever of All Times Award’ from a diaspora group, the Ekiti Kete Coalition United States of America.
The diaspora group, led by its president, Joe Olugbamila, also presented the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, with the ‘Outstanding Political Icon Award’ for his consistent engagement in politics.
Babalola called on the businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to sell his petrol directly to Nigerians at his own rate, saying, “Free trade is the best thing for any society. If Dangote can go all out to spend his money to borrow money to put up a huge refinery, why is it that NNPCL is asking him to sell it for onwards sale to us?
“Let all those who can afford to put up refineries do so and sell to people. The prices of fuel will come down. There should be no monopoly on NNPC dictating prices. Let Dangote sell his fuel at his own rate. You will be surprised others will bring the price down,” he said.
The ABUAD chancellor, who stated that there is no reason why Nigerians should be subjected to torturous experiences, urged the government to do what is necessary to make life worthwhile for Nigerians.
“There is no country that is as blessed as Nigeria. There is no reason why Nigeria must not succeed as a country. There is a need for a change of mindset. I decided to establish ABUAD as a place where we will change the mindsets of people and breed a new set of Nigerians,” he added.
Babalola praised the diaspora organisation for the honour, stating, “I don’t see why it will require those in America to recognise me while people here don’t.
“The lesson is that the more you appreciate what others do, the better for us, the better for the whole country. I thank them for coming all the way to teach people here the lesson in appreciation that Jesus Christ taught many centuries back with the account of the thankful leper among 10 lepers.”.
