By Eric Elezuo

The ballroom of the prestigious Sheraton Hotel & Towers Ikeja, was an epicentre of history on Sunday when thriving petrochemical company, Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited, under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Omolara Akintonde, hosted the who is who in the industry to the unveiling of its tripartite investment opportunities consisting of the Midoil Refinery project, SereneCity Properties and Serene Partners Energy to be situated in various communities within it acquired land at Ikosi/Ejirin Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.

Anchored by Ben Ogbeiwi of Project Fame, and coordinated by Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, retired Acting Director of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Network News, who is also a veteran journalist, the event was graced by dignitaries both from the political, traditional, and entrepreneurial circle including Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja, Babatunde Johnson Kokumo, Baale of Sekungba, Chief Solomon Omotayo, Baale of Arogbo, Chief Adesanya Oyenubi, Baale of Ererufu, Elder Gabriel Lawal, and the CEO, Gidi Real Estate Investment Limited, Tobi Akerele.

The event x-rayed the opportunities inherent in investing in these lucrative ventures, which have been designed to change the landscape of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria in general, in both human capacity development, provision of employment and reduction of poverty.

In his speech as the Chairman of the occasion, DIG Kokumo lauds the efforts of Mrs Akintonde and her team for their assiduous efforts in ensuring that the day came to pass, adding that the unveiling of the tripartite investment opportunities is another way of stabilizing Nigeria’s economy, and giving the populace a reason to live, as well as making the environment habitable.

He reiterated that the meddling of government in matters of refineries should be discouraged as it is deterring private investments, he gave kudos to the Midoil team for a job well done.

“Today, I am glad that we have Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited unveiling its long-time coming investment to the general public, and I want to commend the efforts of the Executive Chairman and the Board of Directors for these laudable investments.

When we examine the real estate aspect of what is being unveiled today, SereneCity Properties; provision of habitable homes, providing structures for Nigerians which have been the responsibility of the government, and what they have been able to do have been grossly inadequate.

Midoil, having diversified into the creation of SereneCity Properties is not a tea party; it is a project that calls for stocks and investment in Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals; stocks and investments in SereneCity Properties and stocks and investment in Serene Partners Energy.

“I consider these investment opportunities a veritable option for investors, who are seeking commensurate returns on their investments,” Kokumo said. He, thereafter, advised all dignitaries in attendance to give all the required support to the threefold opportunities.

In her address, the Executive Chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Akintonde, went down memory lane to dissect the origin and birth of the projects, which has spanned over 12 years, giving unhindered appreciation to Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, with whom the concept was birthed; to the Sekungba, Arogbo and Ererufu communities, where the projects are to be sited, and their Baales, who have shown immense support to the company and the projects from inception.

She exposed that the projects, rooted in the magnum, The Vision, The Journey, The Reality, were consequences of her desire to leave a legacy, and contribute generously to the growth of Nigeria, and to generations yet unborn, who basically, are the target beneficiaries of all the efforts.

Noting that the Vision is rooted in the foresight to establish a modular refinery in Lagos State, Nigeria, leading to the establishment and registration of Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited in 2012, she informed that the Journey has been about procuring the large expanse of land required for the projects and all its ancillary, which include housing for expatriate staff, other senior, middle and junior staff.

“Today, March 17, 2024, we are unveiling our vision, our journey and our reality. We received our land allocation letter on April 24, 2014, and subsequently, on January 24, 2017, we were approved the Licenses to Establishment (LTE) by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR),” Mrs Akintonde informed of the journey so far.

“To the traditional rulers here present, you have refused to be enticed with cheap money. Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Midoil Refinery, I once again thank you for your patience and perseverance,” she enthused.

She however, expressed disappointment at some traditional rulers, including the Kabiyesi of Ejinrin, who reneged, and encouraged other Baales to work against the mutually signed MOU.

“Our mutual agreement for Midoil to inhabit the land in peace, as well as having received some financial benefits from Midoil over the years was breached with the latest activities of some communities including Ejirin in the sales of Midoil acquired land,” the Executive Chairman lamented.

She used the opportunity to call on governments at all levels to monitor the activities of land grabbers, and eradicate them completely, stressing that if not stopped, could jeopardize the many proposed development of the communities.

She also called on the Lagos State government “to create expansive awareness among traditional settlers on the land on the need to support developmental efforts by citizens, who wish to give back to the society that has been there for them.”

In addition, Mrs Akintonde urged the government through the Surveyor General’s office “to ensure proper documentation of all lands in the state as well as remove unscrupulous staff assisting ‘Omo Onile’ in perpetuating illicit land grabbing” as they are the reasons for unnecessary delays.

She further revealed that in the 10 years of hard work behind the scenes, Midoil has secured the interest of investors, and the consortium of investors are ready to invest a whopping sum of Five Billion Dollars ($5,000,000,000) in the project.

The highpoint of the event was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU), with the three Communities led by their Baales.

Contract was also signed with UNILAG Consult for the conduct of the Pre-Feasibility Study for the proposed refinery.

The event rounded off with awards of loyalty and certificates of appreciation to deserving MPIC Member and other stakeholders in the Midoil adventure.

Notable among the awardees were Engr Sunday Ashaolu (MPIC Member) the Baales of Sekungba, Chief Solomon Omotayo, Baale of Ererufu, Elder Gabriel Lawal; Midoil First Media Coordinator, Mr. Babajide Morounfolu; Midoil Oversea Supporter and Consultant, through whom the $5billion investment was secured, Mrs Ngozi Louise Ogboru; Renowned Toast Master, Bennett Ogbeiwi; Mr. Daniel Adeleke Ogungbe, Very Reverend Oluwafunminiyi, Venerable (Dr.) Olusiji Olumide Kolawole, Mrs Kofoworola Olowolagba and Alhaja Bolanle Jafojo-Adedeji.

The groundbreaking at Sekungba/Ejinrin of the Midoil Refinery project is expected to take place on July 12, 2024, which incidentally is Mrs Akintonde’s birthday, as a follow-up to the March 1, 2024, groundbreaking of SereneCity Properties at Ererufu.

The refinery, when completed, will be producing at a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Pix by Ken Ehimen