…Says NNPC will remain transparent, accountable to Nigerians
The group managing director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has clinched The Sun Man of The Year Award, in recognition of his efforts in promoting the development of the sector.
Kyari received the award, the biggest recognition by The Sun Publishing Company Ltd, publishers of The Sun Newspaper, in a ceremony attended by eminent Nigerians over the weekend at Lagos.
The dignitaries present at the event include the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki; former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu; captains of industries and public servants.
Speaking on the award, the managing director/editor-in-chief of The Sun Publishing Newspapers Ltd, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, said Kyari was honoured for his doggedness and resilience in managing the operations of the NNPC during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which saw the economies of many countries across the world struggle.
“Dissect Mele Kyari. In addition to the record-breaking N287bn profits posted for 2020 – the best in its 44-year history – the NNPC which he heads published the Audited Financial Statements (AFS). It was trailblazing and a whiff of good fortune in a beleaguered entity and time,” he said.
In his response, Kyari stated that the NNPC remains ever committed to conducting its operations with transparency and accountability.
He attributed the successes recorded by the management team of the NNPC to the freehand and support accorded him by President Muhammadu Buhari, who has never interfered in the affairs of the NNPC.
“What we have done in recent years is to ensure that we take out all the opaqueness in NNPC. We also ensured that we represent Nigerians and work for them,” he added.
While thanking the publishers of the newspaper for finding him worthy of the award, Kyari described the honour as a “huge responsibility and a privilege” that will spur him to do more for the benefit of the over 200 million Nigerians.
A statement by the NNPC group general manager, group public affairs division, Garba Muhammad, said Kyari was accompanied to the event by some members of his management team, namely; the group executive director (GED), finance and accounts, Mr. Umar Ajiya; GED Upstream, Engr. Adokiye Tombomieye; GED Gas and Power, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed; GED ventures and business development, Sir Billy Okoye; group general manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti; MD, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Mohammed Ali-Zara and MD, Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), Mr. Marcel Amu.
