By Passman Akpos
Lagos, Nigeria — The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, has penned a stirring tribute to Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, following a personal tour of the Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer Complex on October 17, 2025. The monarch’s detailed account of the visit paints a vivid portrait of the business mogul’s unmatched vision, innovation, and transformative impact on Nigeria’s economy and environment.
In a compelling reflection, King Dakolo noted that while many Nigerians have not met Dangote in person, almost everyone is aware of his remarkable achievements and the consistency of his success. “I am certain that many people have not personally met Alhaji Aliko Dangote, but are familiar with his remarkable achievements in the business world, both locally and internationally,” he wrote. “It’s worth pondering on Dangote today for a brief moment.”
According to the monarch, Dangote’s business empire—spanning sugar, cement, fertilizer, and now petroleum products—has “shifted Nigeria’s national economic numbers in palpable decimal places.” He described the billionaire as “a time-tested colossus of business” and “a man with the Midas touch like no other in the world.”
King Dakolo, who holds a background in security and oil and gas, shared profound admiration for Dangote’s attention to environmental protection and his ability to execute projects with sustainability at the core—qualities he said are rare among multinational oil corporations. “If the IOCs that have wreaked untold destruction on the Niger Delta environment had even attempted to do what Dangote did… the entire narrative would have been different,” he observed.
During the visit, the Bayelsa monarch was impressed by the scale and sophistication of the Dangote complex—its state-of-the-art machinery, gender-balanced workforce, and clear commitment to environmental preservation. He highlighted the refinery’s wastewater treatment system that channels treated water 20 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean and its self-generated 650 megawatts of power as groundbreaking benchmarks for African industry.
He further remarked on the refinery’s growing international footprint, revealing that “over 650 foreign ocean liners from countries including the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia” have purchased premium petroleum products from the Dangote facility, paying in foreign exchange worth millions of U.S. dollars.
In his reflection, the monarch contrasted Dangote’s eco-conscious practices with decades of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, lamenting that foreign oil companies “prioritized profit over people, polluting the land, air, and water of host communities.”
King Dakolo, who is also an author and environmental advocate, recounted presenting autographed copies of his acclaimed books Pirates of the Gulf and The Kingfisher: An Intimate Portrait of Environmental Injustice in the Niger Delta to Dangote after their meeting. The billionaire, in turn, expressed appreciation and surprise at the monarch’s literary achievements, reportedly saying, “I could not have guessed that you were such an acclaimed writer when we first met in Bayelsa during my recent visit, Your Majesty. Thank you so much for all you do.”
The monarch’s essay also recalled earlier encounters with Dangote, including during the business magnate’s visit to Bayelsa State earlier in the year, and offered broader reflections on national development projects such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
King Dakolo concluded his reflection with gratitude and pride, emphasizing that “Nigeria and Nigerians are indeed blessed, along with the entire black race.” He urged citizens to celebrate, rather than undermine, Dangote’s achievements:
> “We should all recognize and appreciate Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s remarkable achievements and not attempt to sabotage or slander him simply because we seek to profit from importing low-quality, sulfur-contaminated, smelly, and poisonous fuel.”
The monarch’s vivid testimony not only celebrates Dangote’s achievements but also challenges Africans to rethink their attitude toward indigenous excellence—an inspiring reminder of what vision, resilience, and patriotism can accomplish on home soil.
