Buhari Postpones Inauguration Of New NNPC Board

Barely 24 hours to the inauguration of the newly constituted board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the postponement of the swearing in ceremony.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha.

Mustapha in the statement announcing the postponement of the event, did not give reasons for the new development.

The inauguration was earlier scheduled for Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

Following the signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Buhari had on September 19, 2021, constituted the Board, to be chaired by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, had in a statement then said the appointment of the board members was based on the power vested in the President under Section 59(2) of the PIA 2021.

The board is to be chaired by Ararume, while Mele Kolo Kyari and Umar I. Ajiya are Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.

Other Board Members are; Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Senator Margaret Chuba Okadigbo (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South), and Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West),” the statement said.

While expressing regrets for any inconvenience the suspension of the inauguration may have caused, the statement from the SGF noted that a new date will soon be announced for the event.

It said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate suspension of the inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) scheduled for Wednesday 24th November, 2021 until further notice.

“A new date for the inauguration of the Board will be announced in due course.

“We deeply regret inconveniences caused to members by this suspension, please.”