The Catholic Church of Ibadan Archdiocese has called on President Bola Tinubu to speak out about the fuel price disagreement between Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Church hopes this will help alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians.
Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, the Archbishop, shared these thoughts during a news conference in Ibadan on Tuesday, September 24, ahead of his 75th birthday celebration. He expressed concern about NNPC’s role in controlling fuel prices for Dangote Refinery.
The Archbishop remarked, “NNPC is the one creating the problem. Why can’t they allow Dangote to sell fuel at a price convenient for him? If he likes, he can sell it free to the people.” He stressed that it shouldn’t be up to NNPC to dictate how Dangote sells his fuel, adding, “They are the ones destroying things; not Dangote.”
He urged the Federal Government to let Dangote set his own prices, saying, “Things will be better. There’s a lot of hunger and cheating in the country. You can’t wait for the church to do everything.”
Accompanied by other Church leaders, including Archbishop Felix Alaba Job and Bishop Simon Faddoul, the Archbishop also addressed misconceptions about Catholic schools, stating that their fees are among the most affordable for church members.
He highlighted the Church’s efforts to combat poverty, noting that they provide food, jobs, and other support to those in need. He encouraged the youth to focus on their education and strive for good grades, which will help them secure jobs in the future.
These achievements were supported by Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade, who echoed the Archbishop’s messages.
