•Says oil boomed during Obasanjo’s era
•Monarchs back anti-corruption war
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday rued the poor state of the petroleum sector, saying it was better he abstained from talking about it.
Buhari noted that the golden era of the petroleum sector occurred during the military government of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo (1976 -1979), adding that things were not the same four decades after.
The President, who was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for the concluding part of his two days official visit, explained that during the years under reference, Nigeria invested massively in the sector.
According to him, the nation’s three refineries – Eleme (Port – Harcourt), Warri and Kaduna, were built during the period.
Buhari, who praised Obasanjo for appointing him Petroleum Minister then, said Nigeria produced and refined crude oil for local consumption and export.
“Gen Obasanjo made me minister of petroleum and I must thank him for his tolerance . So far, that government made the most investment in the petroleum sector.
“It was during that time that the refineries in Port – Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna were built.
“We were producing and refining crude enough for local markets and excess for export. What is the situation today? I just don’t want to talk about it,” he said.
The President lauded the social and infrastructural development efforts of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, nothing that it was mindboggling.
Buhari recalled that Abeokuta was his first station as a Commission Officer in 1963.
The President said with what Amosun had done in the state, he could still find his way around Abeokuta.
He lauded the governor for the transformation and urged him to continue the good work.
Buhari inaugurated some of the ‘Legacy Projects’ built by the Amosun administration, including a flyover at Sapon, a model school at Itoku Elewe, turning of sod of judiciary complex and unveiling of the 40th anniversary commemorative logo.
Four traditional rulers assured the President of their support in his on – going war against corruption and other vices.
The Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo urged Buhari to persevere in his determination to rid the country of corruption.
The quartet spoke at a reception and luncheon organised by the government in honour of the President at the emerging Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Kobape – Abeokuta.
They said Nigeria has remained largely stunted in growth and development because of endemic corruption.
Oba Adetona described Buhari as one on a mission to salvage the country from crippling “cankerworm of corruption,” urging him not to be daunted by challenges.
According to Adetona, Buhari should lay a solid foundation for probity and corrupt -free governance, public service and society.
For Oba Gbadebo, the country can not proceed with the way things were being done in the past.
According to the Alake, had the past administration lasted for another two years, the country would surely have collapsed.
The monarch, who had received the President Buhari at his Ake Palace, Abeokuta, said those who did not see his messianic role initially have started perceiving things clearly today.
At the event were former President Olusegun Obasanjo; his wife, Bola; former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Senator Biyi Durojaiye; Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Senator Gbenga Kaka; Senator Gbenga Obadara; Senator Lanre Tejuoso; Gen Oladipo Diya; Assistant Inspector General of Police Ikemefuna Okoye; Jimi Agbaje; Kola Abiola; Olorogun Sunny Kuku and Omotola Oyediran.
Others were All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Odigie–Oyegun; APC Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) Segun Oni; Kessington Adebutu; Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Prince Bola Ajibola; former Minister Tunji Sarafa; Femi Majekodunmi; Chief Justice Olatokunbo Olopade; Muiz Banire; Senator Anthony Adefuye; Jide Awosedo; Lai Mohammed and wife of the Vice President Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo.