FACT CHECK: Is Mele Kyari, New NNPC GMD Related To Buhari’s Chief Of Staff?
The appointment Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari as the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday has sparked excitement on social media.
Kyari, a geologist and crude oil expert will on July 8, 2019, replace Dr. Maikanti Baru, as NNPC GMD, following the latter’s retirement from the service.
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But the news of Kyari’s appointment has been greeted with excitement on social media, where many are asking whether or not the new GMD is related to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Abba Kyari.
While some think he may be related to Buhari’s Chief of Staff, others say they are unrelated.
Findings have however shown that while both Kyaris hail from Borno state, they are not related to each other.
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Mele Kyari, the new NNPC GMD hails from Maiduguri, while President Buhari’s Chief of Staff is from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The new GMD was born on the 8th of January 1965 in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Kyari’s appointment, as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, was announced on Thursday, June 20, 2019, by NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu.
Kyari was described as “a quintessential crude oil marketer with prerequisite certification and outfield pedigree in Petroleum Economics and crude oil and gas trading,” in the statement announcing his appointment as the NNPC head.
Meanwhile, President Buhari also approved the appointments of seven new Chief Operating Officers for the Corporation.
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They are: Mr. Roland Onoriode Ewubare (S/South) – COO Upstream, Engr. Mustapha Yinusa Yakubu (N/ Central) – COO Refining and Petrochemicals, Engr. Yusuf Usman (N/East) – COO, Gas and Power, and Ms. Lawrencia Nwadiabuwa Ndupu (S/East), COO Ventures
Others are: Mr. Umar Isa Ajiya (N/West) – Chief Financial Officer, Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji (S/West) – COO, Downstream, Mr. Farouk Garba Said (N/West) – COO, Corporate Services.
