Yerima Abdullahi, a former Minister of Education, Science and Technology, disclosed that Tafawa Balewa, first Prime Minister of Nigeria, discovered oil in the Northern part of Nigeria, but he deliberately neglected to explore it.
PUNCH news reported that according to Abdullahi, Balewa did not explore the oil discovered in the North in order to give the younger generation the chance to explore it.
Abdullahi said that the discovery of oil in the North, particularly the recent one in the Gondola Basin, flawed the ridicule of the people who have said that the North is a parasite on Nigeria.
Recall that the Herald in its publication reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had discovered hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well on the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin, in the North-Eastern part of the country.
Abdullahi said,
“The future is now. Fortunately, the oil was found in Bauchi, which is our home. We expect many other mineral resources such as gold and copper to be discovered, and not just oil, in the North.
“Oil and gas existed before we were born. Even our elders, including the Tafawa Balewa government, knew but decided not to make so much noise about it, but to leave it for the younger generations.”
“We are glad that oil has been found in the North and it will add to Nigeria’s wealth because we believe in the unity of the country. We don’t begrudge any part of the country or Nigerians from partaking in the wealth God has given us,” he added.
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PUNCH NEWS also reported that Inuwa Yahaya, Bauchi State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ismaila Misilli, welcomed the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well on the Upper Benue Trough of the Gongola Basin.
He said,
“The development will change the economic fortune of the state and the North-East geopolitical zone, stimulate job creation and ultimately lead to job creation and wealth for the people.
“The North is not bothered about resource control. An average Northerner believes everything in the country belongs to the whole country. That is why you see us (Northerners) accommodating people coming from far and near. This (oil discovery) will not change our mindset.”
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