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Tag: Mele Kyari

  • You have shamed critics, Okupe salutes Mele Kyari at 60

    You have shamed critics, Okupe salutes Mele Kyari at 60

    A former presidential spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe, has congratulated Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on his 60th birthday.

    Okupe, in his congratulatory message to Kyari, said that the NNPCL under the leadership of Kyari had shamed  critics.

    “I am one of those who were critical of NNPC and even laughed at the creation of the NNPCL.

    “Like my former boss President OBJ (Olusegun Obasanjo), I never thought anything good could come out of NNPCL or its leadership.

    “The recent multi-faceted and dimensional achievements of the corporation has shamed us former critics and has made some of us to become very proud of Mele Kyari and his management team.

    Read Also: Okupe: Tinubu’s Enugu visit a game changer

    “The revival of our refineries and revitalisation of critical infrastructure of the industries, leading to significant downward trend of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) pump prices, is worthy of commendation.

    “I seize this opportunity to congratulate Mr Mele Kyari on his attainment of the age of 60 years,” Okupe said.

    The former Director-General of Mr Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation apologised to the NNPCL boss for not having faith in the corporation initially.

    He wished Kyari more success and express hope he would take steps to help further bring down PMS price to reduce ease challenges faced by many Nigerians.

    Okupe prayed God to bless and reward Kyari ‘mightily.”

    (NAN)

  • Ex-agitator greets Kyari on birthday

    Ex-agitator greets Kyari on birthday

    Mayor of Urhoboland and businessman, Eshanekpe Israel, a.k.a Akpodoro, has congratulated Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on his 60 birthday, describing him as a top-notch administrator.

    In his message from his Ughelli, Delta State palace, he noted that under Kyari, NNPCL has turned a gold mine for the nation, saying he removed the joint venture partner from unproductivity.

    Describing Kyari as a humanitarian, Akpodoro said “he led a life of service to humanity in his 40 years of service to the nation.”

    He said: “We congratulate and celebrate this gift to humanity. At 60, Kyari is still in his full capacity, building a nation with his ideas on excellent service delivery.”

    ‘‘Kyari has removed bottlenecks hindering the petroleum industry, yet he’s not relenting in ensuring pronity and accountability in service. My palace, family, and people are grateful for his achievements.

     ‘‘He defeated oil cartels, he defeated naysayers, he defeated oil thieves to ensure a buoyant economy where fuel queues are history and oil facilities safer than he met it’’, Akpodro noted.

     He said Kyari engaged Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited against stolen crude merchants and ensured tight security in the waters.

    Read Also: Mele Kyari at a time like this

    Kyari at 60, Akpodoro said, has succeeded where many of his contemporaries failed in setting the economy on the path of recovery. Soon, he noted, there would be a glut with a low and affordable price in a stable economy where market forces dictate the price unlike when the commodity was subsidised into the pockets of petty bourgeois.

    Akpodoro noted that Kyari has stabilised the petroleum markets undermining challenges posed by oil thieves who wheeled and dealt in stolen products and exporting same to nearby countries.

    The regular sponsored protesters, he noted, have fizzled out owing to progress in revamping the refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri against predictions of naysayers.

    “We celebrate Kyari at 60. Climbing the ladder to diamond jubilee is not easy but providence made it possible for this great achiever, who breathed life into the economy.

    ‘‘We thank God as we wish him long life and good health. We call on all Nigerians to join us in the celebration of this compatriot at 60,” the Gbaregolor, Ughelli South-born mayor said.

  • Mele Kyari at a time like this

    Mele Kyari at a time like this

    • By Tayo Williams

    Time is not stopping today, Wednesday, January 8, when Mele Kolo Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, turns 60. It only moves sideways for the turnaround expert to be feted and felicitated for turning excellence, resilience, vision, patriotism, dynamism, and a boots-on-the-ground leadership style into an art form.

    In a few years of heading the corporation, Kyari has re-jigged and repositioned it for efficiency and effectiveness, expunged ‘fuel scarcity’ from the end-of-the-year lexicography of Nigerians, entrenched transparency, and taken bold decisions for the collective good.

    Despite the headwinds of international oil politics, home-grown challenges like insecurity, sabotage by industry players, crude oil theft with the attendant negative effect on the revenue accruable to the nation, and pipeline vandalism among others, the University of Maiduguri-trained geologist has waded through the odds with the courage of a knight and the confidence of a champion while working his way into the pantheon of Nigeria’s most prodigious citizens.

    He has also helped in no small measures to restore hope in the Nigerian economy with his concatenation of ingenious and innovative interventions, which undergird the compassion and concern of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Nigerian people.

    Though it is not yet Uhuru, the NNPCL is no longer what it used to be. Kyari’s tenacious spirit and mulish resolve to excel where others have failed over the past three decades have paid off with many robust milestones but two are most significant for every Nigerian; the declaration of N3.3trillion profit for the first time in its 46-year history, and the rejuvenation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery last November and the Warri Refinery in December.

    In November, the NNPCL announced the “safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” which it stated marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance and also “signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.” 

    Though naysayers went to town disclaiming the news, saying the corporation was lying about the refinery working, community leaders, labour unions, civil society organisations, and stakeholders including former Group Managing Directors of the legacy NNPC have visited the refineries and praised Kyari for bringing them back to life.

    Even former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, commended the Kyari-led NNPCL for “fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery… Nigerians now await the corresponding impact and benefits on pump prices and the overall economy.”

    On December 30, 2024 the NNPCL announced that the 150,000 bpd Warri Refinery, shut down in 2015 due to protracted but unsuccessful repairs, had been re-streamed. An excited President Tinubu lauded Kyari and his team at NNPCL for working hard to restore national pride and making Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa. He said, “With the Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, my administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course.”

    Nigeria aims to be a net exporter of petroleum, and Kyari is leading the charge. He has, thus, beamed his searchlight on dormant frontier basins like the Kolmani Oil Field II & III straddling Bauchi and Gombe states to monetise the huge oil and gas resources therein. The Kolmani Oil Field, OPL 809 and 810, in the Gongola Basin of the Upper Benue trough, is estimated to have a reserve of one billion barrels of crude oil. Concerted efforts have also been made to explore new basins including the Bida, Ogun, Anambra, and Sokoto basins.

    Importantly, the Kyari-led NNPCL is leveraging technology and innovation to achieve the goal of building an energy company of global excellence. Last December, the NNPCL unveiled its state-of-the-art Production Monitoring Command Centre (PMCC), a ground-breaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing hydrocarbon production monitoring and boosting operational efficiency across the oil and gas sector.

    According to the NNPC Ltd, the PMCC is designed to provide a centralized, real-time view of hydrocarbon production and transportation activities while ensuring the seamless integration of data and processes. By leveraging advanced analytics and predictive technologies, the PMCC addresses critical industry challenges and enhances decision-making capabilities for stakeholders.

    Before the PMCC, however, the NNPCL had established a control centre known as the Central Coordination, Data Integration, and Activation Control Room to provide surveillance of all the country’s oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta. Similar to that of Saudi Aramco, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia, the NNPC Data Control Centre uses video visibility to monitor the pipeline networks in the Niger Delta where more than 90 percent of the country’s crude is explored. Through the Data Control Centre, the NNPCL can see and monitor the movement of vessels on Nigeria’s territorial waters in real-time.

    Read Also: Reps fail to commence 2025 budget defence

    These measures had to be put in place because of the GCEO’s belief that the NNPCL can reach three or four million barrels per day but that some steps must be taken. He said, “Number one is to resolve security, which is very critical so that you can get back the confidence of investors. We have achieved that substantially, but there are still places that are supposed to be occupied; and that’s what we are working on to see that we can eliminate the security challenges we have, particularly in the Niger Delta region.”

    Before transitioning into a limited liability company, the NNPC was infamous for its opacity. However, that changed under Kyari who introduced new standards for corporate governance by making the financial statements accessible to the public thus fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders, including the public, investors, and international partners.

    The publication of the Monthly Financial and Operations Reports (MFOR), according to Kyari, underscores the corporation’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and open dialogue, which are fundamental to building public trust. This practice, the GCEO said, “places NNPCL in a unique position globally as the only national oil company that publishes its financial and operations reports every month. Such transparency not only enhances accountability but also provides valuable insights into NNPCL’s activities, performance, and strategic direction.”

    Further, Kyari enlisted the NNPCL with the global transparency body, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a Norway-based organisation that seeks to establish international standards for the good governance of oil, gas, and mineral resources while addressing the key governance issues in the extractive sectors. In its recent global assessment of the NNPCL, the EITI scored the corporation high for enhanced transparency and accountability standards, increased competitiveness, and concerted efforts in combating corruption in the global oil, gas, and mining sectors.

    Perhaps one of the more remarkable contributions of the Kyari-led NNPCL to cushioning the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians is taking the lead in the implementation of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiatives launched by President Tinubu to stimulate the economy, reduce carbon footprints, and provide cheaper alternative fuel to motorists. So far, the NNPCL has deployed many gas stations across Lagos and Abuja while one of its subsidiaries, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, has partnered with NIPCO Gas Limited to develop an Auto-CNG rollout plan for the construction of 35 CNG stations across Nigeria.

    Similarly, the NNPCL has made significant strides in the nation’s energy mix by signing the NLNG Train 7 project, which is expected to deliver over $20bn in revenue to the government and create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. The corporation has also entered into a turnkey Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to construct the Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant project, which has been described as a game-changer in Nigeria’s power sector.

    The 1,350MW Combined Cycle Power Plant with auxiliaries and Balance of Plant located on 547 hectares of land in Gwagwalada, Abuja, is expected to generate between $700m and $800m annually within the first 10 years of operations. The project consists of three power train blocks of 450MW each. Each block will include two General Electric (GE) gas turbine generators, two heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), one steam turbine electric generator, one direct air-cooling condenser, a balance of plant equipment, and a black start diesel generator. Gas supply to the plant will be through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project currently in an advanced stage of construction.

    These interventions, among many others, have not come without fierce pushback from the beneficiaries of the rot in the industry, but the Borno State native is no shrinking violet. He came well-acquitted to exorcise the demons in the system and so far, he is winning.

    Hence, as Kyari turns 60, there is no doubt that he has etched his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria for the initiatives that have helped to stamp out fuel queues across Nigeria, increased crude oil production, and guaranteed energy security among others. However, industry experts say Kyari’s work is not yet done and that a factor such as the primitive civil service retirement age should not be a cog in the progress made so far.

    •Williams is a Lagos-based media executive.

  • New trajectory of NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership

    New trajectory of NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership

    By Tekena Amieyeofori

    Quite early in the life of the Nigerian state, in the 1970s, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), the then military Head of State, gleefully declared that the problem with Nigeria was not lack of the financial muscle to fund capital projects and meet other obligations of his administration, but how to appropriate the humongous resources derived from crude oil to benefit the citizens. 

    The discovery and subsequent exploration and production of crude oil suddenly cast a spell on a country with an unrivalled agrarian prowess that made it the envy of others in the comity of nations. Nigeria bade a calamitous farewell to her legendary groundnut pyramids in the north, and abandoned the sprawling cocoa and rubber plantations in the south. 

    The unprecedented fortune that came with the discovery of the “black gold” overwhelmed managers of the Nigerian economy to the extent that they jilted the old bride (agriculture) that opened the doors of financial prosperity at independence.

    The military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo (Rtd.), in its determination to maximise the economic gains of Nigeria’s vast crude oil and gas endowment, established the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on April 1, 1977 as a state-owned oil company with the statutory mandate to embark on exploration activities, refining, petrochemicals, product transportation, and marketing. At its inception, the NNPC was managed with vigour and foresight to effectively harness the vast economic potentials of oil and gas in the global economy, resulting in the building of oil refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna between 1978 and 1989. 

    The NNPC successfully ran the refineries to ensure energy sufficiency to strengthen the economy. Unfortunately, the state-owned oil corporation began to backslide when it came under the siege of the monster called corruption that assailed all sectors of the Nigerian economy with the passing of time. The refineries soon went aground as a result of poor management and the NNPC, the largest asset holder in the oil and gas industry, began to falter in its remittances to the national treasury.    

    To illustrate the administrative lethargy and managerial inertia that became the lot of the NNPC, it would be worthwhile to recall some of its statutory infractions with regard to financial misappropriations over the years. When the Federal Government hired KPMG to audit its account in 2011, it was discovered that the NNPC could not account for about N28.5bn on subsidy related claims. In March 2016, the Auditor-General of the Federation alleged that the corporation failed to remit around $16bn to the federation account. Earlier in 2014, Emir Lamido Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), raised an alarm that a whopping $20bn was missing in the treasury of the NNPC. 

    Suffice it to say that the ordinary people have been at the receiving end of decadence in the NNPC that has left the Nigerian economy in dire straits. Owing to the comatose state of the refineries the country has, for many years, witnessed scarcity of refined petroleum products that the hoi polloi can hardly afford.

     Consequently, small and medium enterprises that serve as the engine room of the economy have been forced to close up shop. Moreover, endemic corruption and inefficiency in the petroleum industry, prior to the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) , had provided huge disincentives for foreign investments.  

    The declining fortunes of Nigerians, due to gross mismanagement in the NNPC, is clearly a breach of social contract between government and the people. This scenario has significantly eroded generalised trust in the NNPC and the Federal Government over the years. Consequently, there has been an avalanche of protests against operations of the NNPC and the management of the petroleum industry. In fairness to those disparaging the NNPC, they are only exercising their right to freedom of expression which is a vital tool to keep governments and their agencies under check.

    However, there is enough evidence to suggest that a few disgruntled elements who are still roaring themselves hoarse in the present dispensation, particularly those calling for the head of Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), are acting from a hangover spell.

    The naysayers have adamantly refused to accept the fact that it is no longer business as usual in the NNPC, which has undergone significant reforms to live up to its obligations to the Nigerian state and its people. These doubting Thomases are only victims of circumstance whose condition can be likened to plight of hypochondriacs. In medicine, hypochondria, also called health anxiety disorder, is a state of obsession with the idea of having a serious medical condition that does not exist. Hypochondriacs exaggerate symptoms and severity of a suspected illness without supporting evidence, and grope in all directions for solutions in their helpless state of phantasmagoria. 

    In the realm of cultural psychology, hypochondriacs are constantly weighed down by paranoia and panic attack, and resort to compulsive behaviours that are evident in damaged self-respect, negative attacks on leaders, fault-finding tendencies, fierce criticism, and a pessimistic outlook on life generally.

    Caroline Crampton, writer and podcaster, in her latest book entitled “A Body Made of Glass: A Cultural History of Hypochondria”, admits that she was once under the numbing influence of hypochondria when she confesses to have haboured fears that a cured cancer disease for which she had been diagnosed at age 17 would return. Crampton goes further to chronicle other notable intellectuals like Elizabeth Browning, Phillip Larkin, Tennessee Williams et al who fretfully battled against unfounded fears about personal health, safety and security in their lifetime.

    Given the distressed state of the Nigerian economy, occasioned by hyperinflation, it is not out of place to find a high prevalence of stress-induced hypochondria in the country. Fortunately, the available treatment for this ailment, as doctors have prescribed, includes therapy and counselling. Therefore, it would be helpful to highlight the laudable achievements of the new NNPC under the supervision of Kyari to convince the naysayers that light has come at the end of the tunnel.

    On June 20 2019, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari was appointed the 19th Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC. His appointment coincided with a period of comprehensive reforms in the petroleum industry. On assumption of office, Kyari launched a policy of Transparency, Accountability, Performance and Excellence (TAPE) to retool operations of the corporation. To this end, he opened the books of NNPC to the public for proper scrutiny. 

    This culminated in the publication of the 2018/2019 audited financial statement of the state-owned petroleum corporation and its subsidiaries registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 to enhance transparency in joint venture finances, the first of its kind in over 40 years of its existence. Under the dynamic and able leadership of Mr. Kyari, the NNPC enlisted with the global Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI).

     Implementation of the TAPE policy led to a drastic reduction in the corporation’s loss profile in a period of two years, from N803bn in 2018 to N1.7bn in 2019. In 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari announced that, for the first time in its history, the NNPC was able to declare a profit of N287bn after tax deductions in that financial year. In April 2022, the NNPC paid $3.68bn out of a total $4.689bn cash call debt to five joint venture partners.

    It is a known fact that all efforts to revive Nigeria’s ailing refineries from 1999 to 2015 proved abortive. On April 6, 2021, Kyari led the NNPC to sign a $1.5 billion Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with Technimont SPA to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt refinery. Construction work commenced on May 6, 2021 and witnessed a slight delay in its completion date. 

    Through sheer commitment of the new NNPC led by Kyari and the able supervision of the petroleum ministry, the revamped Port Harcourt refinery that had been shut since 2019 was opened on November 26, 2024. The reopening of the Port Harcourt refinery marks a new dawn in the operations of the NNPC and the petroleum ministry, as most Nigerians have acknowledged. In the words of Mr. Peter Obi: “I wish to congratulate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery. The refinery which comes on stream today boasts of an installed production capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude per day. Approximately 200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery. Nigerians await the corresponding impact on pump prices and the overall economy.” 

    The revival of the Port Harcourt refinery bolsters public confidence in government’s assurance about the resuscitation of other moribund refineries that will be fixed to commence production in no distant time. When they all become operational, as anticipated, Nigerians will begin to appreciate the “Renewed Hope” economic blueprint of President Bola Tinubu, as petroleum products scarcity and what is generally considered unreasonably high cost of energy will gradually become a thing of the past. In addition to making petroleum products available and affordable to Nigerians, the NNPCL now has the mandate to implement a renewable energy initiative and other projects that are at various stages of completion, all of which will not be expatiated upon here, for lack of space. 

    The NNPCL which played a critical role in the enactment of the PIA, currently one of the most important pieces of legislation in the country, was able to attain greater achievements, which seemed impossible, under the leadership of Kyari.  Until his previous appointment in 2019, the GCEO of NNPCL was Group General Manager of the crude oil marketing division of the defunct NNPC, an assignment which he carried out diligently with a vast knowledge of crude oil marketing, oil and gas trading, and petroleum economics. 

    At the time, he became the helmsman of what is now Nigeria’s state-owned oil company, Mr. Kyari had over 32 years of experience after traversing the entire value chain of the petroleum industry. 

    From the foregoing, it is evident that the recent querulous protests and media attacks launched against the NNPCL and Mr. Kyari are unfounded and launched out of ignorance or sheer malevolence. Contrary to the claims of Kyari’s traducers, it has been nearly five years of growth and recovery in the NNPCL which has been repositioned on a positive trajectory, after many years of administrative and managerial inefficiency. 

    Dr. Amieyeofori, Journalist and Conflict Scholar, writes from Abuja.

  • Council passes vote of confidence on Kyari, hails development strides at NNPCL

    Council passes vote of confidence on Kyari, hails development strides at NNPCL

    The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has passed a vote of confidence on the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari for what it described as his development strides at the oil corporation. 

    In a statement on behalf of the body by its President, Comrade Eric Oluwole, it commended positive developments at NNPCL and recent leadership changes by its management. 

    In the statement which reads in part, Oluwole said: “The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC), a national umbrella organization for Yoruba youths, expresses its commendation for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the leadership of Group Managing Director Mr. Mele Kyari. 

    “We welcome the recent positive developments in the company and the nation’s oil sector, along with the strategic changes in key leadership positions that we believe will drive the company’s operational efficiency and success.

    Read Also: NNPCL profiting from fuel importation, refusing to fix refineries- Coalition

    “The leadership of the NNPCL, backed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has overseen a significant increase in Nigeria’s daily crude oil production. Currently, production has reached 1.8 million barrels per day, an impressive milestone that has great implications for Nigeria’s economic future. This increase in production represents a step toward transforming our nation’s economic fortunes, a goal we support with optimism.

    “The Yoruba Youth Council is encouraged by the rapid progress of the NNPCL and believes that production capacity will continue to grow, potentially reaching levels that could further enhance Nigeria’s economic stability and global influence.

    “We commend President Tinubu for fostering an enabling environment that has allowed the NNPCL to achieve these feats. Likewise, we recognize the leadership of Mr. Kyari for his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s oil sector.

    “The YYC believes that the recent changes in key leadership positions at NNPCL, which include the appointment of Mr. Adedapo Segun as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi as Executive Vice President (EVP) Downstream, and Mr. Udobong Ntia as Executive Vice President (EVP) Upstream, will infuse fresh perspectives and innovative ideas into the company. “We are confident that these appointments will bolster NNPCL’s operational efficiency, corporate governance, and overall capacity to drive Nigeria’s energy sector forward.

    “NNPCL’s commitment to operational excellence, financial sustainability, and global competitiveness reassures us of its potential to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global oil and gas industry.”

  • Lawyer queries N11tr spent on refineries

    Lawyer queries N11tr spent on refineries

    A Lagos lawyer, Abdul  Imran, has filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on status of the nation’s four refineries.

    In the request addressed to Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, Imran sought confirmation of a report by House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee that the Federal Government has spent N11.3 trillion on rehabilitation of refineries from 2010 till date.

    In the September 24 request, the lawyer asked: “If the four refineries are fully functional, what would be the disadvantage of same to the economy?

    “If your answer is in the negative (that is, it is not going to be of disadvantage), then why do the four refineries still moribund despite the trillions that have been spent on them?”

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    He said in 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly borrowed $1.5 billion for rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery.

    He sought to know which company got the contract, the cost and completion duration.

    Imran noted Kyari had assured Nigerians that the refineries would work before Buhari administration ended.

    He sought to know why those promises failed, and whether NNPCL “has the right to justify the insensitive and callous upward review of price of PMS to over N900 per litre”.

    The lawyer also sought to know whether it is true NNPCL withheld about N8.48 trillion it claimed as petrol subsidies, and whether it did not remit $2 billion in taxes to Federal Government in 2022, as reported by NEITI and others.

  • NNPCL GCEO Kyari loses 25-yr-old daughter

    NNPCL GCEO Kyari loses 25-yr-old daughter

    • Tinubu, Shettima, others mourn

    The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari, has lost  his 25-year-old daughter, Fatima.

    She died yesterday after a protracted illness  and  was buried in the  afternoon in line with Islamic injunctions.

    Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima have extended their  heartfelt condolences to Kyari, over the unfortunate incident.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President sympathised with Kyari and his family, acknowledging the irreparable and painful loss they have suffered.

    President Tinubu prayed for the repose of Fatima’s soul and urged the Kyari family to stay strong during this difficult time.

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    “President Bola Tinubu condoles with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Kolo Mele Kyari over the death of his daughter. 

    “Kyari’s daughter, Fatima died Friday at the age of 25 after protracted illness.

    “The President sympathizes with Kyari and the rest of the family on the irreparable and painful loss.

    “President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of  Fatima and urges the Kyari family to stay strong at these trying times,” the statement said.

    VP Shettima, who attended the funeral prayers at the Annur Mosque in Abuja, prayed for the repose of Fatima’s soul and asked God to grant the Kyari family the strength to bear the loss of their beloved daughter.

    The Vice President’s condolence message to the NNPCL GCEO was made available to journalists by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha. 

    “Vice President Kashim Shettima has condoled with the family of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Malam Mele Kyari, over the loss of his daughter, Fatima Kyari.

    “Aged 25, the late Fatima passed away on Friday.

    “VP Shettima, who prayed for the peaceful repose of the late Fatima, asked God to grant the family the strength to bear the painful exit of their daughter, who was in her prime.

    “The Vice President led other mourners at the funeral prayers, which were held at the Annur Mosque in Abuja,” the statement said.

    Also condoling with Kyari, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin,

    in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, yesterday, prayed to Allah SWT to grant Fatima Aljannatul Firdausi.

    He also prayed to Allah to grant Malam Mele Kyari and other members of his family the strength to bear the passage of Fatima.

    “I wish to convey my condolences to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kyari, and other members of his family over his daughter, Fatima, passing at 25 today.

    ” My thoughts and prayers are with Malam Mele Kyari and other members of his family during this trying period of Fatima’s passing. May Allah SWT grant Fatima Aljannatul Firdausi and give Malam Mele Kyari and other members of his family strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said .

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu,  equally

    expressed shock and sadness over the occurrence, saying that Fatima’s passing has left a void in the family and in the lives of all who knew her, stressing that she would  be deeply missed.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu prayed for the repose of Fatima’s soul. 

    He said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Fatima, your beloved daughter. 

    “I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of a child is unimaginable and my thoughts and prayers are with your family as you navigate this profound grief.

    “Fatima’s passing leaves a void in the family and in the lives of all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

    “My heart goes out to you and your loved ones as you face this unbearable loss.

    “I pray for strength, comfort, and peace to envelop the family during this dark hour. Please, accept my heartfelt condolences.”

  • Tinubu consoles NNPCL GCEO Kyari over daughter’s death

    Tinubu consoles NNPCL GCEO Kyari over daughter’s death

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended condolences to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over the passing of his 25-year-old daughter, Fatima.

    Fatima Kyari died on Friday after a protracted illness, leaving her family and loved ones in immense grief. 

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President sympathised with Kyari and his family, acknowledging the irreparable and painful loss they have suffered.

    President Tinubu prayed for the repose of Fatima’s soul and urged the Kyari family to stay strong during this difficult time.

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    “President Bola Tinubu condoles with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Kolo Mele Kyari over the death of his daughter. 

    “Kyari’s daughter, Fatima died Friday at the age of 25 after protracted illness.

    “The President sympathises with Kyari and the rest of the family on the irreparable and painful loss.

    “President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of  Fatima and urges the Kyari family to stay strong at these trying times,” the statement reads.

  • NNPCL restates commitment to lasting peace in Niger Delta

    NNPCL restates commitment to lasting peace in Niger Delta

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has reiterated its commitment to work with host communities in the Niger Delta region towards lasting peace and economic prosperity.

    Group CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, disclosed this during a dialogue session with the Niger Delta communities held in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South) Hon. Gift Johnbull, at the Igurubia Square Ultra-Modern Town Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications, Mr. Olufemi Soneye disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday, October 10.

    The statement said the session is also part of the citizen assembly engagements, which is a side event of the forthcoming Climate of Parties (COP) 29 Conference taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, this year.

    Kyari, who was represented at the occasion by the Head of Business Services of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Sani Kabo said the engagement marked an important step in the journey to strengthen unity and promote development in the region through the Third Phase Amnesty Program.

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    According to the GCEO, the NNPC Ltd is committed to sustained dialogue with traditional, ex-agitators and youth leaders towards addressing local concerns and restoring trust across the nine Niger Delta states.

    Kyari said the coming of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has placed allocation of 3% of NNPC Ltd’s operational expenditures (OPEX) to community development, a development that will ensure projects reflect the communities’ priorities whilst investing in skills acquisition, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihood initiatives for the benefit of the various communities.

    “Our mission is clear. We are committed to fostering lasting peace, creating economic opportunities and transforming the Niger Delta into a model of unity and progress. NNPC Ltd stands with the Niger Delta as it builds a prosperous future that is driven by mutual respect and collaboration,” Kyari concluded.

  • Natural gas crucial to growth, devt, says Kyari

    Natural gas crucial to growth, devt, says Kyari

    The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari, has reiterated the crucial role of natural gas in fuelling growth and  development.

    Kyari, who was speaking at the presentation of the book “The Rise of Gas: From Gaslink to the Decade of Gas” authored by Charles A. Osezua, highlighted gas’ global acceptance as a crucial energy source that sustains economic growth and drives industrial activities.

    Represented by NNPCL’s Head of Relationship and Stakeholder Management, Mrs. Oluwakemi Olumuyiwa, the GCEO, who emphasised the importance of documenting Nigeria’s gas sector, also underscored the significance of prioritising natural gas production and supply, particularly in the context of geopolitical dynamics and energy security in the global economy.

    With Nigeria boasting substantial gas reserves exceeding 200 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) and a potential to reach 600 Tcf, Kyari said it is pertinent Nigeria leverages the gas resource for sustainable development, energy security and job creation.

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    He noted that the book aligns with the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, aimed at optimising Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves for domestic consumption and international export.

    Kyari added that as a key stakeholder, the NNPCL has played a leading role in advancing the “Decade of Gas” agenda through strategic investments in critical gas infrastructure such as pipelines and processing facilities.

    Osezua, who described the unveiling of “The Rise of Gas” as his significant contribution to Nigeria’s energy literature, expressed gratitude to the NNPCL for its support towards the book launch.

    Osezua said NNPCL’s participation at the occasion underscores the Company’s commitment to fostering knowledge sharing and innovation within the gas industry.

    Also, Chairman, Impact Investors Foundation and former Group Executive Director of NNPC, Engr. Afolabi Oladele, lauded the book for its comprehensive insights into the gas value chain, saying it will be relevant to policymakers amid the global energy transition.