…Celebrates Mele Kyari on 60th birthday
…I rose from an Almajiri pupil to CEO of NNPC — Mele Kyari
…Tantita ready to partner NNPCL to raise crude oil production — Tompolo
By Seun Ibiyemi and Matthew Dennis
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on the occasion of his 60th birthday today, January 8.
In a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised Kyari for his hard work and dedication in transforming NNPCL into a successful, profit-driven organisation.
The President acknowledged the challenges and doubts that Kyari faced, but pointed out that under his leadership, NNPCL has achieved significant progress. This includes the revival of two major refineries, an increase in domestic natural gas consumption, and a boost in oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day.
President Tinubu also commended Kyari’s professionalism and his outstanding service throughout his career with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and as the first GCEO of NNPCL.
Describing Kyari as a true embodiment of the values behind his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President highlighted Kyari’s commitment to driving growth and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s energy sector.
The President concluded by praying to Almighty Allah to grant Kyari continued good health, wisdom, and strength, while trusting that he will continue to inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders in the energy sector.
I rose from an Almajiri pupil to CEO of NNPC — Mele Kyari
Meanwhile, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari has reflected on his life’s journey.
In a statement shared to celebrate his 60th birthday, Kyari who hails from Borno state, said he rose from being an Almajiri pupil to the chief executive officer of “Africa’s largest energy company.”
The Almajiri is a system of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria. It encourages guardians to cede parental responsibilities to Islamic schools.
“Allah, by his grace, spared my life to this exceptional day, making it my 60th year from birth, even much earlier on the Hijri calendar,” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“I am profoundly grateful to my country for giving me the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.”
Kyari also appreciated President Bola Tinubu and former president Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to head the NNPC.
“Even more particularly, I deeply appreciate the exceptional privilege given to me by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd,” he added.
“Reflecting backwards alone can’t account for the profoundly eventful life I spent to this date, walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, failures and successes and many more that only the sufficiency of Allah will explain.
“At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing.
“I am hugely indebted to my family for being nearly absent for most of my later years serving our nation and the common good.
“My deep appreciation to my family, friends and associates, my colleagues at work and my teachers (western and of Almajiri extractions), and many unmentioned people who account for many of my accomplishments, unconditional support and my overall wellbeing.”
Buhari appointed Kyari as NNPC GMD on June 20, 2019. He officially assumed the role in July of same year.
…Tantita ready to partner NNPCL to raise crude oil production – Tompolo
Also, Chairman of Tantita Security Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, congratulated the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mallam Mele Kyari, on his 60th birthday.
Tompolo, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, on Wednesday, noted that Kyari has “remarkably transformed NNPCL to the acknowledgement and admiration of the doubting Thomases.”
Ekpomupolo lauded Kyari for his patriotic and nationalistic zeal, stating that “Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari in sustained strides has succeeded in putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development in tandem with the development blueprints and economic recovery plans of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as carefully enunciated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Ijaw leader recalled that the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was comatose before Kyari was drafted in on a rescue mission, adding that the success stories recorded by the company under his supervision had received widespread accolades by all relevant stakeholders.
He specifically commended Mele Kyari for ensuring that two of the nation’s refineries in Warri and Port-Harcourt were brought back to life.
“This has led to the unlocking of a total refining capacity of 117,000 barrels per day (bpd) with the operational take-off of both the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries in November and December 2024, respectively.
“The Port Harcourt refinery, which resumed production on November 26, 2024, after extensive rehabilitation, currently operates at 70 per cent, thus accounting for 42,000 barrels per day capacity while the Warri refinery restarted operations on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 60 per cent capacity, translating to 75,000 barrels per day.
“This revival is expected to enhance Nigeria’s energy security and reduce reliance on imported refined products, marking a significant step in the country’s refining sector transformation,” Tompolo said.
Tompolo, whose company, TSSNL, is the main actor in the war against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, appreciated the dexterity, focus, commitment and encouragement of Kyari in the battle to rescue the nation’s economic mainstay from the grip of the saboteurs.
“When the production of crude oil was threatened, you responded with unwavering resolve and developed right security architecture, which culminated in the involvement of non-state actors, including TANTITA, in the task of policing oil pipelines and tackle crude oil theft and establishment of the state-of-art command and control centre.
“These bold collaborative efforts curbed crude oil theft and sabotage. It’s to your credit that you evolved, restructured from the dysfunctional NNPCL to a profit-making model, using sanity and efficiency as the watchwords towards steady increase and consequential unimaginable quantum leap in the production of crude oil from the abysmal 600,000ppd to 1.8mbpd.
“The pointers that the crude oil production is itching towards 2mbpd is the hallmark of your innovative driven-culture.
“Sir, we celebrate and owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and your esteemed self, a load of gratitude for the production level we attained today,” Tompolo further eulogised the virtues of Mele Kyari.
Tompolo expressed the consistent and unbreakable collaboration of Tantita with other state and non-actors in the substance of the upward crude oil production trend