Aare Afe Babalola, an eminent statesman and the chancellor of Afe Babalola University, has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s monopoly in the distribution of petrol from the Dangote plant.
Babalola urged the governments to use their policies and actions “not to turn Nigerians into beggars,” expressing his displeasure with the recent increase in petroleum prices, particularly that of NNPC. Back then, neither thieves nor beggars existed in this nation.
The elder statesman gave a speech in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, on Saturday, not long after receiving the Ekiti Kete Coalition United States of America’s “Outstanding Achiever of All Times Award” from a diaspora group.
In addition, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was given the “Outstanding Political Icon Award” by the diaspora group, led by Joe Olugbamila, for his consistent contributions to politics on this occasion.
Babalola charged, 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 onward 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 stated.
The chancellor of ABUAD urged the government to take the necessary steps to improve Nigerians’ quality of life, stating that there was no justification for subjecting them to agonising situations.
“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.
“I do not know why it will take those living in America to appreciate me when people here do not appreciate me.
“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 which Jesus Christ taught many centuries back with the account of the thankful leper among 10 lepers,” Babalola stated.
In his remarks, the Ekiti Kete Coalition USA Chairman, Olugbamila, who said the accolade was predicated on the need to commemorate the heroes while living, hailed Babalola for his involvement in the founding of Ekiti State and initiatives towards the development of the state.
Afe Babalola Day should be designated by the Ekiti State Government in honour of the man who has done so much for the state, the group has once again called on them to do so.
