"We have brought massive investments into every sector we got involved in" - Dangote Group

[@debopopoola2159]

Edwin is a brilliant man. He answered all the questions professionally

[@Open_DoorMedia]

Sentiments don't run business but realities. This Indian man knows the business and Nigeria business environment too well.

[@igboukwu]

I wish Reuben and co could hold government officials accountable as they do to private companies.

[@wedonblowtv8092]

He was part of PDP Govt

[@billinuma8078]

They cannot, you will go for soft targets instead of strong ones.

[@m77ast]

The guys risk management us world class.

[@azeeznurudeenademola2224]

Thanks to Dangote group for job provision in Nigeria…. Please lead Nigeria in real estate and power sector investment…. We need more Tower in main city that can attract foreign expert to Nigeria and employ millions …am sure others will follow…. U can bring hundreds of Indian experts here in Dubai, well experience and cheap labour

[@MayowaAbidakun]

I have a lot to learn to be like this man. Long way to go

[@fatunbigreatharun7315]

Mr Edwin is an exceptional individual/big boss. I am yet to understand what I had done wrong to make me one of the 50 layed-off indigenes. Altogether, I still wish him the best here in Nigeria/life. Thanks!

[@longjikumdet3692]

Mr Edwin answered intelligently

[@ebrimabajo7473]

Gerat god bless you doing great

[@saraman1231]

Most criticisms of Dangote I read here seem to come from people with prejudices against Dangote. It looks like they didn’t listen to Mr. Devakumar’s responses to questions that were posed ; they didn’t even care what he was saying. The last questions from Ruffai were convincingly and brilliantly answered by Devakumar, that’s regarding the high profit margin and the price of cement in Nigeria as compared with its prices in other African countries, some of which were named. Before spouting platitudes many a comment writers here need to do some fact-checks. Prove Mr. Devakumar wrong with facts. It’s easy to point accusing fingers, but you need to back your accusations with facts. Easy to say “Dangote is a monopoly “, “Cement price in Nigeria is higher than in other African countries “, “Dangote is this and that, patati, patata “; unless you prove them with the help of facts, all these remain hearsay and mere rumors.

[@davyslanguages]

Congratulations dangote

[@johnonyekwere3397]

Edwin understands Nigeria well better than most people. Very brilliant guy.

[@user-uw1fo6sg9p]

Sad to see that the top comments in this thread are either busy claiming Dangote is a monopoly, or hurling thinly veiled xenophobic jibes. I guess haters gonna hate...

[@Idcanymore510]

It's not xenophobia, it's frustration seeing yet another 'Nigerian' company being run by non-Africans. You don't see that any where else! Pity you can't seem to figure that.

[@user-uw1fo6sg9p]

The man has been living in Nigeria for 30 years, working for the same company. Why can’t he be considered as an African?

[@godwinejiofor8064]

Homo Sapiens you are not a Nigerian so mind your business

[@gboyearo387]

Quality guest

[@gavinjohnson3065]

Well Balanced and an objective interview well done Arise. I salute your probing questions rather than pandering to Dangote

[@maxtroy8511]

Nigeria banking profit margins are some of the highest in the world, can we also bring that down? While we're at it, we may as well just put a national cap on profit margins for all companies operating in Nigeria.

[@btgoc888]

Rufai's questions unsettled him. The other two were asking him very easy questions.

[@mohammedmusa481]

yes but Mr. Devakumar ate rufai up. He's the same type of journalist that would accuse dangcem of monopolistic tendencies if they reduced their prices which is why he had no rebuttal for Mr. Devakumar.

[@m77ast]

Excellent.

[@dumdumt5797]

I am Nigeria man but I have value for my self. An White man have no right to enter my secret God gifted room. Impossible

[@aframaco9491]

Mr Edwin Devakumar is a maestro! Dangote chose well!! In the end Reuben Abati had to nod his head in reverence and appreciation! The man knows his onions 🧅!

[@adedamolaadenihun]

I know many Nigerians that can do a better job. Nothing special.

[@aframaco9491]

@@adedamolaadenihun Are you just countering for countering sake ? You know many Nigerians that can do the job, but you are not the employer so shut it !

[@alimamman1676]

That is a politician doing an engineer's job. Also, that sugar story he bragged about is false. Bacita Sugar Company for example was in existence before Dangote came into the market. Dont you ever ask why the competition disappears every time that company enters a particular industry?

[@adedamolaadenihun]

@@aframaco9491 you must be an Indian or come from the same country as Edwin. My point is no matter how good you are, you won’t get his job in India has a Nigerian. You may be employed as a foreigner at high technical but you can never be at a level to be a spokesman are represent the company for an interview. Get the point and shut it!

[@aframaco9491]

@@adedamolaadenihun Gbenu daa ke oshi! Alakori! Dangote is a private individual as well as a global business man, he is at liberty to employ any man or woman as he so desires from any part of the world or planet into his private organisation! Our federal government still employs foreign coaches for our national football teams , go and face that first , and leave Dangote alone! Okugbe!

[@anumekasa4439]

I too know dey worry this rufai

[@Rhire94]

Honestly!

[@adedamolaadenihun]

This Anu is really jealous of rufai’s brain power. Anu must be a trolling buffoon.

[@therealist2866]

😂😂😂

[@stewmaker3983]

60 years of selling crude oil and there's still no home-grown expertise in oil refinery. Shaking head... 🙆🏿‍♂️

[@davidejiro4191]

Tell me o that we have to bring Indian to run a Nigerian company why

[@kattwilliams6469]

This guy has been with dangote for more than 3 decades. He’s an executive in dangote group. There’re home grown oil and gas experts,so stop saying what you don’t know.

[@stewmaker3983]

@@kattwilliams6469 '3 decades...', yeah exactly why there's nobody locally to speak of. Name one local expert who's ever been a guest on Arise or is in such a role for that long anywhere in the world? Loose cannon everywhere...

[@kattwilliams6469]

@@stewmaker3983 who told you he started as an executive 30 years ago? He put in work as an engineer and his success with the company earned him the executive position.

[@ejeefe4816]

Exactly what I wanted to say. Seeing a foreigner on the show talking about our company like it's thiers its heartbreaking

[@godsent8898]

When Rufal ask him the question for the first time about the cement price see the way he was shivering, this is to tell you that they increased the cement price for no reason, they just increased it because they know that there is no one to compete with them. We know and we have seen that things like this are tend to happen in a monopolistic market, 🇳🇬 they play politics with everything in this country

[@chidinweze3341]

My survey of the Dangote refinaree is that it is a great project, however I see monopoly in the refinaree of petroleum in Nigeria, we also need moduler refinaree in other regions of the country, most especially the North East and south east of Nigeria. Secondly, we know that this present government reluctantly refused to reactivate other refinaree, planning to handover to monopoly of petroleum to Dangote, and which I know the next coming government from APC will continue, so my suggestion to the next government is to reactivate the refinaree, for payment of our debt, and reserve, this will improve the value of the Naira, Dangote refinaree might be, a problem to the payment of debt, since the next government will think we have refinaree, forgetting it is a joint private business.

[@markfactor5952]

Anybody noticed that the direct jobs he mentioned was just unskilled labour; driver and assistant. An indictment on Nigeria’s education system. No synergy between the academic community and the manufacturing sector they are meant to supply skilled labour. So 80% of the skilled labour in the refinery and other dangotes factory are all Foreigners

[@temiladealamudun5063]

True

[@davidejiro4191]

I remember when I grew up in Nigeria some Indians had a plastic factory close to my dad's house and they paid the Nigerian factory works peanuts 1,000 for 12 hours shift which is like less than 100 per hour and the working conditions were bad no toilet no breaks it's still happening today, let's not pretend let's stand up for our Nigerian workers the masses

[@ketapartynigeria1649]

Very good point my friend. But, that's what happens when we keep chasing shadow instead of facing our problems head on. I do not want to be talking the kettle and the pot with you. You should know better than that. My great mind, you know there is no reason for us to keep redefining our problems when we have a solution in hand. I asked you to join us so we can build Nigeria instead of coming here everyday to argue endlessly, wasting your time. Time that could be use doing tangible things saving our people. Join us, otherwise you could be seen as even worse than these guys you're trying to put right. @ketaparty "Unchain Nigeria"

[@rajkumargaikwad8392]

@@davidejiro4191 agreed brother, but not all indians are same. And I like the brotherhood of Nigerians (all Africans) when I met first time in China. 🙏

[@ikmore7709]

Did you hear him talk about other sectors that was directly impacted because Nigeria does not even have the capacity to supply such materials and they have to invest in those areas first. What do you know is skilled and unskilled labor? Wearing tie and suit? Or flashing your masters degree with no practical hands on experience? Welders, pipe fitters, journey men , iron benders, carpenters, forklift drivers, machine operators can you do any of those? We really do not understand your definition of skilled and unskilled... That is one big problem we have. So many graduates with garbage degrees out there that really won't add any productive value. All of them want to run to Canada thinking there is an office professional job waiting for them. It's straight to the factory waiting for them 😆

[@eagle2855]

Dangote cement market price costs more in Nigeria compare to the selling price in Ghana.

[@davyslanguages]

Hi

[@aframaco9491]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Rufai thought he was being smart by talking about electric cars!!! He doesn’t get it that petroleum( and it’s by-product gas) are what are needed to generate electricity! With us utilising petroleum, we can generate the needed electricity to power electric cars ! Fact!

[@cvokoye]

So fossil fuels are the only way to generate electricity? How about biofuels, solar, etc, wind, etc.?

[@aframaco9491]

@@cvokoye Smart man you! No quarrel with your options whatsoever! But understand this, crude oil/petroleum/ gas are going to be with us for another generation at least) say 100 years) . We need to utilise what he have first to build a base for some of the other options you mentioned to be viable!

[@adedamolaadenihun]

Advanced countries are moving away from crude oil as source of energy. Generation of electricity from coal,fossil fuel and other green house gas producing sources are being abandoned . Nuclear, wind farms and solar are now becoming popular in developed countries, 70% of uk electricity is generated from nuclear source. Rufai his smart and he is right with his question.

[@eddieokojie5425]

What ‘facts’ are you talking about? How does your so-called ‘fact’ of petroleum by-products, which remains fossil fuel in whatever shape or form, translate into green energy? Stop misleading people. Rufai’s question remains very valid. However, this doesn’t detract from the fact that in our part of the world, we shall continue to depend on petroleum for the foreseeable future. Which makes Dangote petroleum arm of the refinery complex still a viable venture.

[@adedamolaadenihun]

@@eddieokojie5425 Get your spectacles and read my posting carefully. I did not say Fossil fuel is not a green source of energy. I said it is a green house gas producing source which is detrimental to the environment. Get your facts right !

[@anumekasa4439]

Which electric car are you talking about

[@therealist2866]

Made in Nigeria electric cars 😂😂😂

[@sadiqueyakubu2598]

People keep talking about electric cars while they either ignorant or are illiterate about the fact that the dollar is empowered by the petrol, ie. Petrodollar. The fall of the oil will be the total eradication of the dollars, the US🇺🇸 will never let that happen

[@jamesmccracken2542]

For all those people who are broke and complainING about the ethnicity of the man you see. An astute business man will look for the BEST PEOPLE to help his business. Not someone that looks like him. If you feel he is wrong open your own business and show how it is done.

[@adamumohammed3680]

More players to build or import cement.pls.

[@lekemorfaw237]

Goodness!! Did I just hear the journalist say litters instead of Barrels??😄😄😄😄😁😁

[@oluakinwale4859]

Oyinbo na borrowed language. No big deal. We don't have to make mockery of others.

[@lekemorfaw237]

@@oluakinwale4859 Absolute nonsense! That's no excuse..

[@efemzyekun900]

@@oluakinwale4859 will you keep kwayeet?😡

[@oluakinwale4859]

@@efemzyekun900 A beg your pardon! Who are u talking to? Did l tag u? "Keep quiet"! Where is that coming from? If u don't have anything important to contribute please just stay out.

[@dumdumt5797]

That girl is greeting him as if he is a white man because the little poor girl has not travel to India before sorry little poor girl..in India this is the once that park dotbeeng in India here..confirm it.the really Indians Citizens cant travel to work in Nigeria they use there professionals to wokr in there country...the really India man never travel out he most work in his country that is India law. Every intelligent Citizens of India is very important. Call Nigerians ambassadors to India and conform it

[@paulinewilks5789]

[@Jamesthescrituralstoryteller]

Rufai has lost weight. Hope all is well

[@sharafabalogun4956]

Dr. Reuben Abati and his crew are looking dazed.

[@bufflevy746]

Edwin knows his onions,he has been in Dangote since 1992

[@adedamolaadenihun]

Dazed by what? Is it a March or competition. By lies. We know how much this project to.climate change palaver. Those who know can see the problem on the offing. Everything is wonderful in the eyes of a bush man.

[@bufflevy746]

@@adedamolaadenihun do you have to be negative ? China is also polluting the planet and nobody is saying anything.Imagine the amount of jobs this project will create in a poverty stricken country like nigeria.Plus no be beans to be a executive director in the largest company in nigeria , na beans . Wetin you you get ? Who you be ?

[@adedamolaadenihun]

@@bufflevy746 where is the negativity? The advanced countries are working hard and doing research for alternative sources of energy but we are still thinking of fossil fuel. Very soon automobile companies will stopping making vehicles using petroleum or diesel. We should be moving with the times. In 20 years the jobs created may not be sustainable. I am not saying the man is not good but I say I know many Nigerians who can do better. Take it or leave it but that is a fact.

[@eddieokojie5425]

@@adedamolaadenihun Let’s be broad minded about these things. Nigerians go out and get foreign jobs too, if they are good at what they do. From watching him, he’s good at his job. Moreover, you don’t know how far he’s come with Dangote, who is shrewd businessman. If he’s proven himself to be a dependable business ally with the capacity to perform and deliver, as he’s ably demonstrated now, why must he not be hired. I believe what we should focus on, campaign and advocate for is, Nigerians should be so hired anywhere in the world, when and if they are good, too!

[@godsent8898]

There is no demand and there is an huge increase in price 😳😳😳 come on we know that is bullshit

[@dumdumt5797]

Abahati black is nuty sorry Nigeria..that girl is loughing sorry for you dear little girl

[@bobmartins6202]

Are you saying that out of 200 millions of your citizens none is qualified to do his job? Secondly the man did not answer the question on cement price.

[@chiefs5822]

90% of Nigerians are thinking of buying a Visa to escape, thus there head is not on ground. They think the grass is greener on the other side lol. Whats funny is that the most successful black people are in Nigeria

[@therealist2866]

Bob Martins, are you saying that out of the 350 million Americans, none is qualified to do the jobs that Biden is appointing Nigerians to do or that those Nigerian lawyers, bankers, real estate agents, etc., are doing? Nigerians should not be crude XENOPHOBES when literally MILLIONS of Nigerians are earning a living in other people’s countries. SMH

[@chiefs5822]

@@therealist2866 Exactly my guy! I think Bob Martin bias is from that who might hate the west. People should be able to compete for jobs regardless of Origin, thats why America is great! Nigeria must model itself as one too. To be a dynamic country we must increase competition. Dangote is smart enough to choose the most qualified man to run his multi billion dollar empire.

[@johneze7552]

this thing no concern me nah

[@adedamolaadenihun]

This is not Nigeria’s refinery it belongs to Dangote and his business partners. These are business men, they are after profits so Nigerians should not raise their hopes too high. I don’t understand why Abati is saying Nigerians are excited. Excited about another man’s property. I don’t get it.

[@therealist2866]

@ ola didi, why shouldn’t Nigerians be excited, merely because it’s a private business enterprise? It still creates thousands of (direct and indirect) JOBS IN NIGERIA FOR NIGERIANS, along the entire value chain. It also saves Nigeria billions of dollars spent on importing fuel (as well as earning foreign currency from any exports), that could then be put into other productive uses, such as importing heavy machinery to build and operate manufacturing plants in NIGERIA, as well affording the CBN more forex to “defend” local currency values. Nigerians should frankly quit be so petty and narrow-minded and cultivate the capacity to look at the bigger picture. The growth and expansion of local PRODUCTION and the existence of a PRODUCTIVE local economy is like a wave that sweeps EVERYONE along. It creates NIGERIAN JOBS and those workers spend money in NIGERIA on food, housing, education, transportation, healthcare, hospitality, etc., and therein benefiting a wide range of other NIGERIANS - from the Okada or Danfo owner, to Mama Put or Buka proprietors, barbers, painters, carpenters, electricians, et al! NIGERIAN JOBS IN NIGERIA also generates tax revenues for state and national treasuries, from corporation taxes (at the federal level) to income taxes and licensing fees at the state and municipal (local government) levels, which (to the extent that are not instead embezzled or misappropriated by politicians) can be invested in the provision of public schools, hospitals, mass transportation, roads and such other social and/or physical infrastructure. That’s why Nigerians should be EXCITED about the Dangote Refinery (and in fact all such other productive private businesses). Don’t hate, congratulate!

[@adedamolaadenihun]

@@therealist2866 I would just say this. There was WAPCO and other government owned cement companies in Nigeria before the emergence of Dangote cement. We now see what the monopoly of the cement market has led to. Why can’t Nigeria not build its own refineries knowing that oil is the mainstay of our economy. How can a whole country be at the mercy of an individual? Many question unanswered but some Nigerians are so “excited”. It is like selling one’s birthright for a morsel of food.

[@eddieokojie5425]

@@adedamolaadenihun I get your point, which makes sense. But it still boils down to our government and the people running it. To a large extent, I believe government shouldn’t be in the business of running such private enterprises. Witness how they ran aground all the government refineries and other major companies in various industries. That readily proves my point. Our politicians will never get it right. Cronyism will always flourish if we go that route. Government business should, chiefly, be in the provision of adequate and excellent infrastructure to foster the enabling environment for business. And moreover, providing proper regulatory framework for sundry businesses. And let there be a level playing field for individuals to engage in business. In most cases they do it better in the presence of excellent infrastructure and if properly regulated by the government. I understand your fear about only one or few companies’ dominance, and therefore, holding an entire country to ransom by becoming oligopolies, with their attendant manipulative tendencies. However, truth remains that industrialisation can be achieved through various routes, if we’ve visionary and committed leadership both in the public and private sectors. The Chaebols, huge industrial conglomerates, which includes Samsung, LG, Hyundai etc of South Korea, proves my point. In tandem with the government, they opened up South Korea for industrialisation. Given its record, Dangote group could well be one of such companies in Nigeria. This doesn’t mean they’re perfect or beyond reproach. Our major problem still remains the government and leadership of same in Nigeria. If they represent us properly, in terms of protecting the national interest with utmost zeal and patriotism, they should be able to checkmate the excesses of private business.

[@therealist2866]

@@adedamolaadenihun the Nigerian government has FOUR refineries, but still imports fuel because those refineries are mostly moribund. In fact, the published 2018 audited financial statement of the NNPC showed that the refineries suffered a combined LOSS of N154 billion while producing little or no fuel, and cumulative LOSSES of N1.6 trillion (trillion, not billion) over a 5-year period - and yet you want the government to build and operate more refineries. SMH Funny that you refer to WAPCO, because I had actually referred to the cement industry elsewhere in these discussions. Well, WAPCO still exists. It is actually a part of the world’s largest cement company HolcimLaFarge. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A CEMENT MONOPOLY IN NIGERIA! Several of the world’s biggest cement companies started operating in Nigeria in the 1950s/60s, before some of us were born, and has continually done so till the present day. Companies like the UK’s Blue Circle, France’s LaFarge, the Scandinavian giants Holcim and Scancem, and Germany’s Heidelberg dominated the Nigerian market for years. Yet, despite the abundance of limestone in Nigeria, most of these firms had little more than basic plants (Blue Circle’s WAPCO plants at Shagamu and Ewekoro) while essentially acting as bagging plants for cement important from their affiliates abroad. When the so-called Oil Boom arrived in the 1970s, Nigeria ramped up investment in physical infrastructure and quickly became the world’s second-largest importer of cement, with billions of dollars worth of cement imports clogging the Lagos ports. It took the entry of local producers like Dangote and BUA to move Nigeria from a world leading importer to self-sufficiency and ultimately to a net exporter of cement. In fact, it was Dangote that first introduced the 42.5R grade of cement (the foreign companies had stuck with the lower 32.5R grade since pre-Independence) and subsequently became the first producer of the 52.5R grade (the world’s leading grade) in Nigeria and all of Africa. It was competition engendered by indigenous Nigerian producers that drove foreign producers in Nigeria to finally upgrade their plants (WAPCO LaFarge at Shagamu and Ewekoro, Holcim at Odukpani, Calabar, etc.).

[@therealist2866]

@@eddieokojie5425 I’m afraid that @ola didi has NO “point” (other than perhaps a distaste for private enterprise). The number of Nigerian government-owned companies and businesses that has been horribly run or simply run aground are legionary - the 4 refineries, the 2 petrochemical plants at Warri and Eleme , the old NAFCON fertilizer plant, NITEL, Aladja Steel (near Warri), Ajaokuta Steel, Nigeria Airways, NICON, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Nigeria Coal Corporation, Nigeria Paper Mills Jebba, Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company in Olu-Iboku (Akwa Ibom State), Nigeria Pulp and Paper Mill (in Ogun State), Nigeria Machine Tools Factory (in Oshogbo), Nigeria Steel Rolling Mills (in Jos, Katsina and Oshogbo), Nigeria Hotels, Durbar Hotels, Nigeria National Shipping Line, Nigerdock, Kaduna Superphosphate Fertilizer Company, ALUSCON Aluminum Smelter in Akwa Ibom State), Volkswagen of Nigeria, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria in Kaduna, Leyland in Ibadan, ANAMMCO (Mercedes Benz) in Enugu, National Truck Manufacturing Co. (Fiat) in Kano, Steyr (tractors) Bauchi, and so many other such government-owned companies too numerous to enumerate here. SMH

[@elizabethoyarebu4731]

Dangote, who is funding you? How did you get your money? How many qualified Nigerians are working for you compared to foreigners? Is the person speaking on your behalf, your executive director, a Nigerian? You love Nigerians. Why do you keep increasing the prices of everything you produce, cement etc? Is it really true that there is no market for cement in Nigeria? That is a big lie! Do You buy up investments because you don't want competitors and you can inflate prices without challenges from other investors? Think about it. Please reduce cement and prices of all your goods. Are you really helping Nigerians? Are you, Dangote? You are definitely not a mouth piece for consumers of your goods. Let consumers speak for themselves.

[@nyabinghi870]

You are a very poor guy

[@stewmaker3983]

I don't trust a word uttered from Edwin Kumar's mouth...

[@temiladealamudun5063]

Yes

[@therealist2866]

Fortunately, your belief (or lack thereof) makes no difference 😂

[@stewmaker3983]

@@therealist2866 like I give a friggin toss...

[@therealist2866]

@@stewmaker3983 if you really didn’t, you wouldn’t have commented or responded 😂

[@azeezedo-omozuwa1820]

@Willie Fungo it is almost like you were tone deaf when he spoke. Gosh why are some people so stupid?

[@anumekasa4439]

This rufai na mumu

[@adedamolaadenihun]

You are the jealous mumu

[@anumekasa4439]

Ola the defender of rufai

[@anumekasa4439]

I greet you o ode you can not think freely on your own until rufai tell,I don,t like his respond anytime he want to respond to issue abating is more analytical .

[@adedamolaadenihun]

@@anumekasa4439 I am not defending I just simply stated the fact.

[@adedamolaadenihun]

@@anumekasa4439 and where did you get that from. Do you know what I do or how I think. If you think you know more than rufai apply for his job. Or even apply to replace Abati if you have first class degree, phd and LLB.

[@eagle2855]

This guy, Dangote corporate Chief Executive, talked a lot but said nothing. Most of what he commented on were false. To begin with most of Dangote cement factories are now cash-cows.

[@billinuma8078]

So? If you do not like it set up your cement factory. They were set up to be cash cows for Dangote and other shareholders of Dangote cement. Business is not charity.

[@davidejiro4191]

Why is an Indian man the head director there are many Nigerian that are qualified to do this role the Indian man is doing

[@therealist2866]

Quit being such a primitive XENOPHOBE! 😡 Literally MILLIONS of Nigerians are earning their livelihoods in other people’s countries (and supporting their families back in Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian economy). Do you think there are no qualified citizens in those foreign countries?! Despicable that a man who has worked in the same Nigerian company for almost 30 years is being questioned for earning an honest livelihood in Nigeria (ironically by many who themselves have run away from Nigeria). SMH

[@davidejiro4191]

@@therealist2866 what is primitive or. Xenophobic are my statement, if a Nigerian goes to India will they allow a Nigerian be a director in India the answer is no, there is nothing Indians can do that a Nigerian cannot do, Nigerians we need to be proud of our own, whoever you are I can battle you all day long on this issue and proove you wrong 1 billion times

[@kattwilliams6469]

What are you guys problem? Gangote group is a private business and this guy has been with him for more than 3 decades and worked his way to the executive position and dangote must have trust him immensely. I live and work in the US with a major US company and the chief medical director is a Nigerian over bunch of white colleagues,now is that a problem?

[@davidejiro4191]

@@kattwilliams6469 the problem is that Indians are racist they never allow black man be head of their own companies and that's true talk

[@kattwilliams6469]

@@davidejiro4191 you don’t have any evidence. Have you or anyone applied for a managerial positions in an Indian firm anywhere in the world?

[@alimamman1676]

Dangote Sugar is NOT the first sugar refinery in Nigeria. Bacita Sugar company in Kwara state was functioning well and even exporting in the 80's and 90's before dangote Gangote'd the refinery by proxy. That's gist for another day. It's unfortunate that Reuben and co allow people to say whatever they like without fact-checking them while looking so meek and docile watching a man brag about non-innovative engineering feats borrowed from other countries and adapted for us. You lot might be impressed, I'm certainly not. Mark my words, that refinery is going to cost Nigeria more than it can pay back. The touted cost is 14 billion. Dangote group as a whole is not worth 14billion dollars in assets. so who co-signed that loan facility? Do the math. Good luck to us all...

[@dvgedwin]

Bacita Sugar is a sugar mills , like the Savanna Sugar Mills in Numan , Adamawa State , owned by us . These are sugar mills which have integrated sugar cane farms and produce sugar from sugar cane . But , a sugar refinery is different and , we constructed the world’s second largest sugar refinery . Subsequently , two other companies - BUA and Flour Mills of Nigeria too constructed sugar refineries .

[@eddieokojie5425]

God, where do you people get your information from? This is an international business concern that has been operating for years with verifiable empirical evidence of success within and outside Nigeria. I don’t hold brief for Dangote and his group. He may not be perfect. But I think he’s a decent person and businessman by Nigerian standards. Before you float these mis/dis-information, why don’t you consider what it can do to your reputation.

[@dvgedwin]

And , the production capacities of sugar mills are minuscule compared to the country’s consumption and that’s why large refineries have been built up . Now , the Federal Government is driving the process for full backward integration , by encouraging all the sugar refineries to set up large sugar cane farms and sugar mills .

[@therealist2866]

@@dvgedwin thank you for setting @Ali Mamman straight. I was just about to do so, because I am regularly bothered by the loud ignorance (in the literal, not personal, sense of the word) that often pervades public discourse and commentary in Nigeria. Thanks for sparing me the bother! 😂

[@therealist2866]

@Ali Mamman, how exactly will the refinery “cost Nigeria more than it can pay back”? Is it a government-owned refinery or is it being paid for by public taxpayers? Even if it only succeeds in (1) stopping the wastefully-expensive importation of fuel, and thereby save the billions of dollars of scarce foreign reserves spent thereto, and (2) creating hundreds (possible thousands) of JOBS IN NIGERIA FOR NIGERIANS (in contrast to sustaining foreign jobs in the foreign refineries that we import fuel from), it would be money well spent! Interestingly, before some of us were even born, Nigeria was reportedly the world’s second-largest importer of cement (trailing only the US) on the back of the so-called Oil Boom of the 1970s. So many cement-ladened ships used to wait for months to berth at Lagos ports that the UK-based Economist magazine dubbed it “The Great Cement Armada”, costing Nigeria billions of dollars in imports. Fast forward to the present, and thanks to the efforts of the likes of Dangote and BUA, Nigeria is not only self-sufficient in cement but has become a net exporter, simultaneously saving billions and earning millions of dollars - in addition to creating thousands of JOBS IN NIGERIA FOR NIGERIANS! Let’s try not to be penny-wise but pound foolish!