The Integrity Youth Alliance has opposed the statement credited to one acclaimed political activist, Deji Adeyanju saying that “Mele Kyari has destroyed NNPC with corruption, tribalism, and nepotism—a professional industry for that matter. Tinubu must sack and probe him immediately. He has more questions to answer than Emefiele.”
In a press release on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Abuja, the Publicity Secretary of the Integrity Youth Alliance, Danjuma Lamido, said that accusing Kyari of destroying NNPC Limited with corruption is baseless because, on assumption of office, Mallam Mele Kyari pledged to open the NNPC financial books to the public as part of his management’s commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability in line with the global EITI principles.
“It is on record that Kyari published the audited accounts of NNPC from 2018 to 2021.
“Kyari has rebranded Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited with a fresh panorama and obligation to transparency and accountability in consonance with the global principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
“He kicked a fresh breath of openness into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. He refused to follow the crowd. He decided to do things differently and to account for his employers, Nigerians.
It is laughable to say that Kyari destroyed NNPC Limited with tribalism and nepotism. The Management team of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited cuts across all the geo-political zones of Nigeria, as can be seen below:
Mrs. Margery C. Okadigbo, (Chairman, Board of Directors); Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum (Member); Mr. Ahmed Aliyu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance (Member); Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd. (Member); Mr. Pius O. Akinyelure, Member, NNPC Board; Dr. Tajuddeen Umar, Member,
Since he assumed office as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari has stamped out sharp business practices, violations of regulations, illegal deductions of funds belonging to the state, and failures, among others, through the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda, which has brought about greater transparency and accountability in NNPCL’s management of Nigerian oil and gas revenues to date.
“Mele Kyari, no doubt, is a leader of unparalleled vision and courage and a man whose matchless exploits have transformed the Nigerian oil and gas industry for the better.
“His legacy will endure for generations to come, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps and build on his remarkable achievements. Mallam Mele Kyari will remain relevant and crucial to the delivery of good governance and continuity.
“Of course, the road to success has not been without its challenges. Kyari has had to contend with several obstacles and setbacks, including a concerted campaign of calumny waged against him and his colleagues by a group of malicious mischief-makers, the statement concluded.