Chief Haruna Ahmed Osike is a human rights activist and the chief executive officer of H.A Osike Electrical Engineering works. In this interview with OYIBO SALIHU, he speaks on the benefits of a revitalised Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
As a human rights activist, what do you think Nigerians stand to gain from the revitalisation of Ajaokuta steel ?
It is obvious that Nigerians have been yearning for the resuscitation of Ajaokuta steel for many decades. The integrated steel plant was conceived in 1979 by the former president Shehu Shagari to satisfy Nigeria’s demand for steel which was then estimated at about 12 million tonnes per annum to enable the country begin industrialisation proper.Regrettably, so many factors worked against the taking off of the giant plant. Once the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is able to revive the ailing industry, first he would succeed in putting the nation on a threshold of industrialisation.
Secondly, the government would not only reduce the high rate of unemployment in the country, it would end incessant youth restiveness and criminalities associated with lack of jobs because if the company is operational, every other rolling mills like the Delta Steel Company Limited Aladja, Jos Steel Rolling Mill, Oshogbo Steel Rolling Mill, Katsina Steel Rolling Mill, and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) at Itakpe would be functional and provide million jobs. Thirdly, the dwindling revenue from oil would be a thing of the past as the industry would generate enormous income for the country. Again, the company is capable of generating up to 110 Megawatts of electricity and the industry cannot consume up to half of the power generated, so the remaining ones can be channelled to the national grid and that also would generate huge revenue for the federal government. When production commences, the output alone would go a long way in realising federal government’s plans of diversifying the economy since available record shows that the plant is capable of producing three million metric tons of steel per annum. This would assist the government in eliminating imports. That is why we have refused to relent till the dreams of the founding fathers of Ajaokuta Steel Company are achieved. As a human right activist, I would continue to praise the courage and the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari for his decision to complete and put to use the steel plant.
Obviously, if the company picks up today, nobody would talk of crude oil again because of the role it would play in the economy of the country. It is an open fact that the 1973 oil boom would be a tip of the ice begs compared to what Ajaokuta steel company would generate in the shortest possible time.
What advice do you have for the youths as the company is at the verge of coming back to life?
My advice to the youths in general especially those that does not have the financial capacity to attend tertiary institutions is to go and learn skill and obtain their trade test in readiness to secure jobs. There is no doubt that both skilled and unskilled manpower would be needed to keep the industry moving. This is the time for youths to shun thuggery and plan their future through the acquisition of skills that would be of benefit to them because the steel has enormous potentials for the future. I am also advising staff of the company to remain resolute and support government to achieve the plan of reviving the industry.Let me also use this medium to commend them for maintaining and keeping the company safe against vandalisation; they honestly deserve to be honoured. That honour is what the president is about to give them by resuscitating the ailing industry. I am also commending the management of the steel company led by Engineer Ismaila Abdul-Akaba as sole administrator. He is an experience engineer who can use his wealth of experience to turn around things for better when the Russians eventually come to inject life into the company. It is also worthy to mention that the calibre of men and women that constitute the management of the company are ever-ready to receive the Russians and work with them harmoniously to achieve the desired success. The Sole Administrator is a man who came into the company with absolute zeal to ensure that the plant works for the benefit of Nigerians. He has demonstrated that severally through his innovative ideas that today is already at the verge of putting the plant in a position that Nigerians and indeed the federal government would cherish. It is an open secret that Ajaokuta steel complex still remains the hope of Nigerians in jobs creation and revenue generation. The possibility of giving jobs and bright future to Nigerian youths cannot be achieved without due consideration for huge investment in steel production; that is why we are calling on the National Assembly and Northern Governors Forum to support Mr President to achieve this feat for the country.
