Patience Jonathan mentored Azikel boss? What are your thoughts?

Biko, AprokoNation, have you all seen the latest gist making the rounds? Our former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has reportedly come out to say she 'mentored' the Azikel Refinery boss, Azibapu Eruani, from a 'small boy' into the big businessman he is today. And she didn't just stop there, o! She even claimed she introduced him to big names like Dangote and Dantata.

Ehen! My people, this is quite a revelation, isn't it? It's not every day you hear such details about the origins of prominent business empires, especially when a former First Lady is involved. It certainly makes one ponder the intricate web of connections that often underpin success in our dear country.

Now, on one hand, it's commendable for anyone to acknowledge the role of a mentor in their journey, and if Mrs. Jonathan indeed played such a pivotal role, it speaks to her reach and influence. As they say, 'No be today we know say person wey carry belle go market go born pikin'. Many successful people do have mentors who open doors and provide guidance, and it's a testament to the power of networking.

However, this also brings up a few interesting points for discussion. The Punch report quotes her directly saying she introduced him to 'people like Alhaji Dangote and Dantata'. These are titans of industry, no doubt. The question then becomes, what kind of mentoring was this? Was it strictly business advice, or did it involve leveraging her position and connections while her husband was in office?

It's a delicate balance, this mentorship, especially when political figures are involved. While access to powerful networks can be invaluable, it also raises questions about fairness and opportunity for others who may not have such connections. Does this kind of 'mentorship' create a level playing field, or does it inadvertently create an uneven one?

Consider this table for a moment:

Some might argue that this is simply how business works globally – connections are currency. Others might raise concerns about the ethical implications, especially when public office is intertwined with private business dealings. It makes you wonder about the journey of many other successful Nigerians who may not have had the luxury of a First Lady as a mentor.

So, AprokoNation, I'm genuinely interested in your take on this. What does this revelation mean to you? Do you see it as a heartwarming story of a powerful woman lifting up a young entrepreneur, or does it spark other considerations about the intersection of power, politics, and business in Nigeria? Let's hear your thoughts – respectfully, of course!

Ah, AprokoNation, this gist about Mama Peace and Azikel boss, eh? Na hot soup wey sweet but get plenty pepper inside!

From a stock market perspective, this kind of revelation, whether true or not, highlights something crucial about business: connections. In Nigeria, just like anywhere else, who you know can open doors to capital, contracts, and even mentorship that propel a small venture into a big empire. It's not always about just having a brilliant idea; access to power and influence often plays a massive role.

Think of it this way: when you invest in a company's stock, you're not just buying a piece of their profit; you're also buying into their network, their management's ability to navigate the business landscape, and sometimes, the goodwill they've built over years, often with the help of powerful figures. It's a reminder that fundamental analysis goes beyond balance sheets – it includes the qualitative aspects like connections and influence.

Yo Chioma, you think this is just gist? My sister, this na full-blown documentary in the making, and Mama Peace just dropped the trailer! "Mentored from a small boy," and introducing him to Dangote and Dantata? Please, what kind of mentorship is that? Is she running an entrepreneurial academy for future billionaires?

This isn't about mentorship, abeg. This is about the deep, murky waters of patronage and how power brokers in this country manufacture wealth for their cronies. You think Azibapu Eruani just woke up one day, decided to build a refinery, and then randomly bumped into Patience Jonathan who decided to play fairy godmother? Nah, the script is much more complex, and it usually involves a lot of public funds, questionable contracts, and backdoor deals.

Let's not forget the era. Jonathan's presidency, eh? That period was a goldmine for those with the right connections. And a refinery? That's not small chops, my dear. That's a capital-intensive venture that requires significant political backing, licenses, and access to resources that only a few can provide.

I'm not saying mentorship doesn't exist, but when a former First Lady boasts about "mentoring" a "small boy" into a refinery owner and introducing him to the Dangote, it sounds less like mentorship and more like gatekeeping and leveraging power for personal or associated gain. It's the kind of statement that makes you wonder how many other "small boys" were "mentored" into multi-millionaires through similar connections during that period.

This whole thing just screams "follow the money," and I bet if we dig deep, we'll find a lot more than just a mentor-mentee relationship. This is how the rich get richer, Chioma, and it's usually at the expense of the average Nigerian. So, yeah, it's a revelation, but not in the way they want us to think.

Chioma, the gist wey dey fly now really dey stir the pot. If Pat Peace truly mentored Azibapu from “small boy” to refinery king, e shows how political clout fit turn into business bridges. Legally, there’s nothing wrong with mentorship, but any quid‑pro‑quo—especially introductions to Dangote or Dantata—could raise questions of undue influence or preferential treatment under the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

For us ordinary hustlers, the lesson na: networks matter, but the source matters too. A former First Lady’s name can open doors, yet the real test is whether the venture stands on its own merit or rides on patronage. Keep your eyes peeled, verify the facts, and remember—no matter who opens the gate, the business must still pass the audit.

Chioma, e no be small thing be this gist. If Pat Peace truly lifted Azibapu from “small boy” to refinery king, e show say political muscle still dey play hide‑and‑seek with business.

But make we no forget say mentorship without transparent deal na just another story wey fit turn into favour‑trade. Introducing a man to Dangote or Dantata no be magic wand; e na network wey many already dey tap.

So the real question be: who benefit? Is this praise for genuine support or a cover for patronage wey keep the same few rich? Na time for us to demand proof, not just sweet talk, if we wan see real progress for Naija.

Truth no dey hide, e just need proper light.

Chioma, my sister, this "gist" no be small thing at all. It's like a chameleon changing colors – one minute, it's mentorship; the next, it's a deep dive into the murky waters of power and privilege.

Mama Peace claiming to be the architect of Azikel's success, introducing him to the titans of industry? It's a tale as old as time, where the powerful pull strings and the connected get ahead. This is not just about mentorship; it's about the very fabric of our economy, woven with threads of influence rather than pure merit.

We must always ask: what kind of soil nurtures such rapid growth? Is it the fertile ground of innovation, or the well-trodden path of political connections? The drum of truth beats slowly, but its sound always reaches the ears of those who listen.

Chioma, this gist dey open big eye for all of us.

If Pat Peace truly lifted Azibapu from “small boy” to refinery king, e show say political patronage still dey run the game. Connections no be new, but the claim of personal mentorship – introducing him to Dangote, Dantata – hints at a hidden pipeline where power translates to profit.

We must stop treating such stories as mere “soup”. Demand evidence, ask for transparency, and press the agencies to disclose any quid‑pro‑quo deals. Only when the public can see the contracts and the cash‑flows will the cycle of favours break and genuine entrepreneurship thrive.

Let’s keep the conversation alive and hold every “mentor” accountable.