I Do Not See Myself As A Nigerian....Dokubo-Asari

The Founder of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, says he no longer sees himself as a Nigerian, as the country has not provided him the atmosphere to flourish and live his dreams.
Asari Dokubo, a staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan made the comment when he featured on talk show, Rubbin’ Minds on Channels TV. When asked about his source of livelihood and the nature of his businesses, the ex-militant replied; “I am a businessman. My business is mostly centred around education. I have about four schools.

“I have crèche, nursery and secondary school, King Amachree International School in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. I have King Amachree Automobile and ICT Academy and I have King Amachree Arts Academy and King Amachree Sports Academy.
“Its only education that I do. By March, King Amachree African University will come on board.
Although he did not complete his university education, Asari-Dokubo said his passion for providing quality education was because the quality of education being offered in Nigeria was very inadequate. He claims that education in Nigeria “just prepares people to speak English, to write and to make noise.”
“Any student who graduates from my school is skilled,” he said.
Although he has invested a lot in education, none of these investments have been in Nigeria. He however gave his reason for not doing so.
“I don’t see myself as a Nigerian and I cannot establish a school in an enemy territory,” he said.
“For over 30 years I’ve been at loggerheads with the Nigerian Government, first as a Student Union leader, then President of National Union of Rivers State Students participating in student unionism.
“I have been an enemy of the Nigerian state, so to say. Up till today, there’s a treason trial hanging on my head and you cannot just put your business in an environment where one person would get up and say ‘I close down this business’.
“I want somewhere where I can express myself and flourish and that’s what I’m doing. We started small but gradually we are becoming bigger and bigger.”
Asari Dokubo, who became a citizen of the neighbouring Republic of Benin in 2013 has a university there. He insisted that he had never been a Nigerian citizen.
“I have never been a Nigerian. Nations are not created by force, they are created by the people. You saw Scotland trying to vote yes or no. Today no Scottish man can say ‘I’m not a Briton’ because majority of Scottish people have accepted to remain in the British Union,” he said.