President Bola Tinubu has received praise from youth leaders across Nigeria following the sack of Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a joint statement issued by the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council Worldwide, the group’s President General, Comrade Terry Obieh, and National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described Kyari’s removal as a long-awaited decision aligned with their persistent calls for reform at the state-run oil corporation.
The council had previously urged the presidency to relieve Kyari of his duties, accusing the former NNPCL boss of presiding over a system lacking transparency and accountability.
Following the announcement of Kyari’s removal, the youth leaders expressed optimism that the change in leadership would usher in a thorough investigation of the company’s operations.
“There are undoubtedly all manner of skirmishes and cover-ups within the NNPCL, to the point that even the crude yet to be produced has been mortgaged,” the group stated.
They also criticized the reported rehabilitation of refineries under Kyari’s leadership, calling the efforts misleading.
“The acclaimed fixing of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are also another avenue the Kyari-led Board deceived Nigerians as there appears to be nothing serious happening in those locations,” the statement read.
Despite what they described as a delayed action, the youth group commended the president for eventually taking the step they had long advocated.
“Although belated, we thank Mr President that at last Kyari has been shown the exit door in the interest of the country. The next step is a total audit of the NNPCL by an external body.
