Don’t compromise National Interest, new NNPC GMD advised - As Baru bags lifetime achievement award

Malam Mele Kolo Kyari, new Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

The Group Managing Director -designate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has been called upon to discharge his duties to the best of his ability without compromising national interest.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, gave the charge over the weekend while leading a delegation from the Borno State Government to pay courtesy call on the outgoing GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru.

A press release by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated that the Governor used the opportunity to appreciate the outgoing GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru for his mentorship and training that prepared their son for this envious position in the nation’s largest Oil and Gas Company.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, congratulated Mallam Kyar on his appointment and expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for finding a son of Borno State worthy of the honour.

The Governor used the opportunity to appreciate the outgoing GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru for his mentorship and training that prepared their son for this envious position in the nation’s largest Oil and Gas Company.

He commended the smooth and unique process of the hand-over, emphasizing that the privilege pointed to the integrity of Dr. Maikanti Baru.

The, Dr. Maikanti Baru, outgoing GMD of the NNPC, charged his successor Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, to exceed the milestones recorded so far by the corporation’s current management.

Dr. Baru expressed optimism that Mallam Kyari, as a thoroughbred product of the NNPC system, would deploy his cognate experience, expertise and exposure to deliver greater achievements.

He said that the incoming GMD played critical roles in delivering the various projects that have reformed the corporation within a short period, stressing that Kyari, being part of the processes and vision of the new NNPC, was in a vantage position to perform better.

“We came in at a turbulent time when the country was experiencing low production, low staff morale and high rate of pipeline vandalism. However, we worked had as a team and surmounted the challenges and finished strong. I am therefore, glad that one of our staff with professional competence and experience will be taking over from me”, he said.

Kyari is expected to take over from Monday.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, has won the Dr. Alirio Parra Life Time Achievement Award.

The honour was in recognition of Baru’s services to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

According to a release by the spokesman of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the award, is named after former the late Venezuelan Minister of Petroleum and one of the founding father of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Alirio Parra.

Parra was also the founder of CWC, the organizers of the annual Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition.

The award is the highest recognition given by the NOG to worthy individuals at the conference.