- Says Anti-graft battle’s enemies ’ll face penalties
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the appointment of of Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru as the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The appointment was contained in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.
With the latest appointment, Baru replaced Dr. Ibe Kachikwu who has been doubling as the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and GMD, NNPC.
Buhari also approved the composition of the Board of the NNPC as provided for under Section 1(2) of the corporation Act of 1997, as amended.
The new board has Kachikwu as its chairman, while the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, is also a member.
Apart from Kachikwu, Baru and Kyari, other members of the board are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; Dr. Thomas M.A John; Dr. Pius O. Akinyelure; Dr. Tajuddeen Umar; Mallam Mohammed Lawal, and Mallam Yusuf Lawal.
According to the statement, Buhari urged the new board to ensure the successful delivery of the mandate of the NNPC, “and serve the nation by upholding the public trust placed on them in managing this critical national asset.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari last night warned that those planning to deter his administration from fighting corruption will face the consequences. He did not name such people.
The President spoke at the Presidential Villa during the breaking of fast with some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taxi drivers, hair dressers, motorcycle riders, barbers, butchers, tailors, and junior workers of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said: “Whoever deters us from fighting corruption will suffer the consequences.”
The President said that it was unfortunate that some members of the elite were self-centred and only cared for themselves as there was very little to show for the huge income got from sales of oil in the 16 years the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruled.
Noting that they mismanaged what accrued to the country, he said that the past administrations could not fix power, rail, and provide drinking water for the populace, among other problems.
He told the group that his administration was conscious of their needs and desire but that the government met very poor conditions.
The prices of oil in the international market, he noted, fell from above $100 to $30 per barrel, which has adversely affected the economy.
“I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done.
“Our intentions are good and honourable but I have to remind you of what we inherited from the previous administration.
“Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis. We will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care.
“Tell your family that this government is concerned about your welfare and will work very hard to improve it.”
The President took time to personally serve some of the physically-challanged Nigerians the type of food they wanted to eat during the dinner.
Delivering the vote of thanks, a disabled, Musbahu Lawal Didi, praised the President for having the interest of disabled persons at heart.
He also urged the President to set up a Commission for the disabled so that their interest can be further taken care of.
Muslim and Christian prayers were offered by two IDPs —Musa Abdullahi from Gwoza, Borno State and Joseph Jauro from Adamawa State.
At the dinner were the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate represented Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Punch with additional report from Nation
