Kyari - capitaltimesnews.com

NIGERIA MAKES STRIDES IN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION UNDER PRESIDENT TINUBU’S LEADERSHIP

CapitalTimesNews / 8 months

2 min read

Nigeria is witnessing a significant transformation in its agricultural sector, driven by the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, is at the forefront of this progress, working tirelessly to drive the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security. Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Rukayya Umar Farouk, in a statement, highlighted the minister’s commitment to the assignment, saying “Senator Kyari’s diligence and commitment reflect the confidence and expectations of the President, and he is delivering with results that matter.” These results include the release of two Zinc-enriched biofortified rice varieties, FARO 1 and FARO 2, aimed at tackling malnutrition and hunger across vulnerable populations. Farouk noted that the national mechanization drive is also gaining momentum, with 2,000 Belarus tractors set to be commissioned by President Tinubu on June 23. This initiative is expected to boost farm productivity and rural mechanization, changing the face of Nigerian agriculture for decades to come. Additionally, the Brazilian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth $1.1 billion with the Nigerian Government on the Green Imperative Project, aimed at supporting farmers and bolstering agricultural productivity. To ensure transparency and direct support to genuine farmers, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to roll out Government-to-Person (G2P) digital identity cards. Every verified farmer will now have a secure ID linked to their farmland, making it easier to access fertilizers, inputs, credit, and other government interventions without middlemen or manipulation. Rukayya Umar Farouk further disclosed that these initiatives are proof of a working presidency and a minister who understands the assignment. Senator Kyari’s efforts are yielding tangible results, including dropping food prices, returning confidence to communities, and harnessing technological advancements. As the minister continues to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigerians can look forward to a future of abundance, self-sufficiency, and food sovereignty. In conclusion, Farouk prayed for continued success, wisdom, and good health for both President Tinubu and Senator Kyari, saying “May their joint efforts lead Nigeria into a future of abundance, self-sufficiency, and food sovereignty.” With these initiatives in place, Nigeria is poised to achieve significant milestones in food security and agricultural development.

NIGERIANS IN UK PROTEST AGAINST MELE KYARI, DEMAND DEPORTATION OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

CapitalTimesNews / 9 months
0
3 min read

Hundreds of Nigerians gathered outside the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London on Monday, May 12, 2025, demanding the deportation of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) boss Mele Kyari to face corruption investigations in Nigeria. The protesters, under the banner of Rescue Nigeria Now, submitted formal petitions to both institutions, accusing Kyari of fleeing Nigeria to evade accountability for alleged financial misconduct during his tenure at NNPCL from 2019 to 2025. They carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Withdraw Mele Kyari’s residency now!”, “Mele Kyari go home and face EFCC now!”, and “London is not for public officials who abused public trust.” In a letter addressed to the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the group expressed their disillusionment and outrage over Kyari’s freedom to walk the streets of London despite numerous allegations of corruption against him. “We are profoundly disillusioned and appalled by the effrontery with which Mr. Kyari has been walking in the street of London with impunity, while the tables of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria are flooded with so much petitions, audit queries, and evidences on the many alleged corrupt financial dealings and infraction that have been attached to his tenure,” the letter reads. The protesters detailed several allegations against Kyari, including the misappropriation of funds earmarked for refinery rehabilitation. Billions of dollars allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries in Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt allegedly vanished without tangible results. Instead, Nigeria continued importing refined petroleum products while its refineries remained moribund. The group also accused Kyari of running a syndicate of racketeers benefiting from fuel importation operations and criticized the fuel subsidy regime under his leadership, describing it as shrouded in confusion, crony capitalism, and contradictions. “Opaque subsidy payments of over trillions of naira were disbursed under the pretext of cushioning fuel costs. Yet, these payments lacked empirical substantiation and transparency on how they were spent,” the letter added. Rescue Nigeria Now emphasized the international implications of harboring individuals accused of corruption and alleged that Kyari transferred illicit funds to UK bank accounts. The coalition called upon the UK authorities to act in accordance with international anti-corruption agreements and expel Kyari to face justice in Nigeria. “The United Kingdom and Nigeria have established reciprocal treaties and agreements to curtail their citizens from willfully engaging in corruption and other criminal activities. Considering the extensive evidence of corruption and the severe impact on Nigeria, we hereby request that the Home Office expel Mr. Mele Kyari so that he can return to Nigeria. It is imperative that he faces justice for his actions and that the stolen funds are recovered to aid in the nation’s recovery and development,” the letter concluded.

FORMER NNPCL CEO MELE KYARI RESPONDS TO EFCC RUMORS

CapitalTimesNews / 9 months

2 min read

Former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive, Mele Kyari, has denied reports that he is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a statement, Kyari described the claims as “clear mischief and a calculated attempt” to achieve a desired outcome. Kyari said he is currently taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL. “At present, I am taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which I was the Group Chief Executive,” he stated. The former NNPC boss emphasized that he is willing and happy to account for his stewardship, having served in public capacity for 34 years. “I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man,” Kyari said. He urged the media to be circumspect and avoid spreading unverified stories or matters that are subject to further validation by relevant organizations. “It is in this regard that I urge the media to be circumspect and avoid being stampeded into misleading the public on unverified stories or matters that are subject of further validation by relevant organizations,” Kyari stated. Kyari thanked his family and friends who have reached out to him and assured them that he is available to respond to all lawful queries. “I sincerely thank my family and friends who have reached out to me or tried to do so and assure them that I am available to respond to all lawful queries,” he concluded.

CNPP, CNCSOS DEMAND JUSTICE, ACCUSE SECURITY AGENCIES AND EFCC OF SHIELDING MELE KYARI

CapitalTimesNews / 9 months

3 min read

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have accused security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of shielding former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, amid an expanding corruption scandal. In a joint statement, CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, and CNCSOs’ National Secretary, Alhaji Ali Abacha, expressed outrage over reports that the EFCC arrested sacked managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries over alleged mismanagement of nearly $3 billion allocated for rehabilitation. “We have consistently raised alarms over the brazen corruption and mismanagement at NNPCL. Today, while the EFCC is busy arresting the small masquerades, the chief masquerade is still dancing freely in the market square without qualms. This is unacceptable, and Nigerians will not be fooled,” the statement declared. The groups noted that the EFCC probe has expanded to include Mele Kyari and 13 other former top NNPCL executives, covering allegations of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. Those under investigation include Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama. The CNPP and CNCSOs condemned the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation as a monumental scam, having consumed over $897 million yet failed to produce petrol or sustain operations. “The Nigerian government and public were deceived into celebrating emptiness. Today, independent reports confirm no fuel trucks are lifting products from the facility, confirming our earlier warnings,” the statement noted. Mele Kyari recently stated, “I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah.” Responding to this, the groups said, “If Engr. Kyari truly fears God and is ready to account, then he must return immediately to face the EFCC probe. Hiding abroad contradicts his public declaration.” The groups blamed security agencies for their failure to place Kyari on a watchlist or restrict his movement pending investigation, calling it a betrayal of public trust. “We demand answers from the security agencies that allowed Kyari’s exit despite the gravity of allegations against him, including allegations of diversion of proceeds from reportedly sold stolen crude oil in China under questionable circumstances,” the statement said. The CNPP and CNCSOs vowed to continue monitoring, exposing, and providing leads to anti-corruption agencies until all those responsible for looting and sabotaging Nigeria’s oil sector are held accountable. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that no member of the sacked NNPCL management is shielded from prosecution. “The fight against corruption must be total, impartial, and unrelenting. Nigerians demand justice. The world is watching,” they concluded.

CNPP APPLAUDS PRESIDENT TINUBU ON MELE KYARI’S SACK, DEMANDS FORENSIC AUDIT OF NNPCL

CapitalTimesNews / 10 months

2 min read

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for relieving Mele Kyari of his duties as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). In a statement, the CNPP described the President’s action as a courageous step toward restoring accountability, efficiency, and transparency in the management of Nigeria’s oil sector. “For too long, Nigerians have endured the consequences of mismanagement, inefficiency, and allegations of large-scale corruption within NNPCL,” the CNPP stated. “This has contributed to severe economic hardships, including skyrocketing food prices driven by high transportation costs.” The CNPP emphasized that replacing Kyari alone is insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues plaguing the oil sector. The organization reiterated its call for a comprehensive forensic audit of NNPCL’s operations under Kyari’s leadership. “The Nigerian people deserve to know the true extent of mismanagement and possible financial irregularities that have taken place within the national oil company over the years,” the CNPP said. The CNPP highlighted several unresolved grave allegations against Kyari, including unauthorized gratuity payments, sabotage of local refineries, diversion of refinery rehabilitation funds, sale of stolen crude oil, and unaccounted oil revenues and subsidy payments. These allegations underscore the urgent need for an independent forensic investigation into NNPCL’s accounts, operations, and crude oil sales records during Kyari’s tenure. “The oil industry remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, and without urgent and radical reforms, the suffering of Nigerians will persist,” the CNPP warned. “Ensuring accountability in NNPCL is key to stabilizing the petroleum industry, improving fuel availability, reducing transportation costs, and ultimately lowering food prices.” The CNPP called on President Tinubu to go beyond leadership changes and take decisive steps to cleanse the oil sector. It also urged anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the National Assembly to support the demand for a forensic audit to reposition NNPCL for the benefit of all Nigerians. “The time to act is now!” the CNPP declared.

PRESIDENT TINUBU DISSOLVES NNPCL BOARD, APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN AND GROUP CEO

CapitalTimesNews / 10 months

2 min read

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), removing its chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, in a sweeping overhaul. The move, effective April 2, 2024, follows the president’s invocation of powers under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, to reconstitute an 11-member board aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, and driving economic growth. Ahmadu Musa Kida, a former Deputy Managing Director of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, has been appointed as the new Non-Executive Chairman. Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, previously Executive Vice President of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, takes over as Group CEO. The board also includes six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), Babs Omotowa (North Central), Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South West), and Henry Obih (South East). Adedapo Segun, Chief Financial Officer since November 2023, retains his position on the board. Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed, representing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, complete the new lineup. President Tinubu directed the board to conduct an immediate strategic review of NNPCL’s assets and joint ventures to align with “value maximization objectives.” The administration targets raising oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million by 2030, alongside increasing gas output to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion by 2030. Refining capacity is expected to hit 200,000 barrels daily by 2027 and 500,000 by 2030. Highlighting reforms initiated since 2023, Tinubu noted that $17 billion in new investments had been secured for the sector, with ambitions to attract $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030. He praised the outgoing board for rehabilitating the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which resumed production after prolonged shutdowns, and wished them well in future endeavors. Kida, an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and former President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, brings decades of experience from Total and Pan Ocean-Newcross Group. Ojulari, a mechanical engineering graduate from the same institution, previously led Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company and played a key role in Renaissance’s $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company assets. “This restructuring is critical to boosting local content, gas commercialization, and economic diversification,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing the need for transparency and investor-friendly policies. The new board is tasked with steering NNPCL toward meeting Nigeria’s energy demands and global market competitiveness.

WORLD BANK HAILS NIGERIA...

US MILITARY CONFIRMS DEPLOYMENT...

FRESH ATTACK IN KATSINA:...

TROOPS DESTROY ISWAP DETENTION...

‘LIVINIG HISTORY ‘ TEXTBOOK...

SENATE MOVES TO INCREASE...

NIGERIA MAKES STRIDES IN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION UNDER PRESIDENT TINUBU’S LEADERSHIP

NIGERIANS IN UK PROTEST AGAINST MELE KYARI, DEMAND DEPORTATION OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

FORMER NNPCL CEO MELE KYARI RESPONDS TO EFCC RUMORS

CNPP, CNCSOS DEMAND JUSTICE, ACCUSE SECURITY AGENCIES AND EFCC OF SHIELDING MELE KYARI

CNPP APPLAUDS PRESIDENT TINUBU ON MELE KYARI’S SACK, DEMANDS FORENSIC AUDIT OF NNPCL

PRESIDENT TINUBU DISSOLVES NNPCL BOARD, APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN AND GROUP CEO

WORLD BANK HAILS NIGERIA AS GLOBAL.

US MILITARY CONFIRMS DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS.

FRESH ATTACK IN KATSINA: OVER 20.

TROOPS DESTROY ISWAP DETENTION CAMPS DEEP.

Pages

Categories

Recent Posts

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION AND SANITARY PAD SENSITIZATION CRUCIAL FOR FUTURE – PRINCESS JOY IDAM

Friday Lines (37) With: Dr Abubakar Alkali. An Open Letter to Ms Kemi Badenoch