By Andrew Irumba Katusabe [Sankara]
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s Pan-Africanist and outspoken social commentator Bishop Joshua Marara Maponga III has once again sparked heated debate with his fierce condemnation of Western interference in African affairs—this time taking direct aim at Donald Trump’s recent threats to send U.S. military forces into Nigeria.
In a fiery Facebook post, Maponga accused the controversial U.S. president of using “false humanitarian excuses” to mask his real agenda-seizing control of Nigeria’s vast oil wealth and halting the continent’s march toward economic sovereignty.
“Trump says he wants to stop jihadists killing Christians, but that’s just a scapegoat,” Maponga wrote. “Who creates chaos and later comes to ‘save’ you at a cost? America? Shine your eyes, Nigeria! What are they really after? What is under the ground is the answer.”
His remarks come at a time when Nigeria is witnessing a historic transformation in its energy sector, following the success of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery—Africa’s largest integrated refining facility. The refinery recently hit a major milestone, producing 70 million litres of fuel daily, a volume sufficient not only to meet but exceed Nigeria’s domestic demand.
According to Anthony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, the achievement marks a defining moment for Nigeria’s economic independence. “We are not just refining fuel; we are securing Nigeria’s energy future,” he stated. “This production capacity strengthens the naira, stabilizes supply, and reduces dependence on imported petroleum products.”
For many observers, Dangote’s refinery symbolizes far more than industrial success—it embodies Africa’s growing determination to take charge of its destiny, a principle Maponga has long championed. He argues that Western powers have historically destabilized African nations under the guise of humanitarianism or counterterrorism, only to gain access to strategic natural resources.
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to ensuring a stable fuel supply and price consistency throughout the year. The refinery’s integrated model, combining large-scale refining operations with a robust distribution network powered by CNG trucks, is also a testament to Africa’s gradual shift toward cleaner and more efficient energy logistics.
Analysts suggest that the refinery’s success could mark a turning point for the continent, potentially reversing decades of dependence on imported fuel. With production now exceeding national consumption, Nigeria is poised to become a regional exporter of refined petroleum products, strengthening its geopolitical leverage.
As Maponga calls on Africans to “shine their eyes” and see through Western manipulation, Nigeria’s advancements in refining and energy self-sufficiency stand as tangible proof of what self-determination can achieve. The clash between Trump’s militaristic rhetoric and Dangote’s industrial triumph encapsulates a wider struggle—the battle for Africa’s sovereignty over its own wealth, its future, and its narrative.
