By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has challenged the dubious protest staged by fictitious groups calling for the sack and probe of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The obscure groups, Northern Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative and Arewa Youth Forum also called on the federal government to suspend the Executive Vice President (Upstream), Adokye Tombomieye, Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ali Muhammed Zahra, and Managing Director, National Petroleum Investment Management Services and Bala Wunti.
But AYCF in a statement, signed by its President Shettima Yerima noted with deep concerns that sponsored individuals masquerading as members of fictitious Northern Nigerian Youth Groups are behind the incessant misinformation campaign for the removal of Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL.
“However, we are pleased that most Nigerians who possess discernment and indeed Federal Government have dismissed this protest as it was orchestrated by selfish individuals seeking their own interests rather than those which benefit Nigerians collectively.
“It should be common knowledge now that under Mele Kyari’s leadership, NNPCL has recorded tremendous accomplishments in Nigeria’s oil sector. These endeavors have been advantageous to Nigerians and propelled Nigeria’s economy forward. One major achievement is environmental pollution reduction; strategic measures put in place by NNPCL ensure safeguarding and preservation of our environment resulting in significant reduction levels of pollution making it safer for citizens.
“Another milestone recorded by NNPCL is Port Harcourt’s absence from black soot lately due to commitment towards environmental safety which has resulted in cleaner air quality for its inhabitants. Foreign ships’ presence illegally stealing crude oil from Nigeria waters drastically reduced following stringent measures put in place under Mele Kyari’s watch at NNPCL; this led to a considerable decline in illegal crude sales thereby increasing revenue generated by Nigeria’s government,” the statement said.
Furthermore, AYCF said that during his tenure, NNPCL production output increased tremendously seeing Nigeria regain Africa’s top crude oil producer position ahead of Angola, while boosting foreign reserves, helping attract more investments into the oil industry, resulting to renewed investment activities within this sector generating jobs opportunities through Tantita subsidiary reducing attacks on pipelines thus improving security installations across Nigeria.
“NNPCL performance service delivery under Mele Kyari leadership demonstrates great strides taken within petroleum industry development contributing significantly towards national security improvements protecting territorial integrity against ungoverned areas like Niger Delta where vessels would bring about threats causing social crises through destructions carried out there.Under his watchful eyes at NNPLC he made significant strides developing Nigerian petroleum industry further enhancing operational efficiencies taking proactive steps sustaining growth driving innovations achieving various milestones whilst prioritizing stakeholders’ interests both locally & globally.
“As patriotic Nigerians we commend outstanding leadership demonstrated at NNPLC call on him continue doing what he does best driving growth /development throughout entire petroleum Industry encouraging all fellow countrymen to remain vigilant rejecting any attempt(s) whereby selfish individuals use guise civil society advancing their own self-interests over those benefiting us all collectively,” Yerima stressed.
