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Those Calling For Kyari’s Sack Want To Derail FG’s Achievements – Coalition

Published

2 years ago

November 6, 2024

A coalition under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, COCSOAC, Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora, NPID, and Bloggers respectively, came together, Wednesday, to vehemently condemned a section of the country calling on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Engr Mele Kyari.

The coalition made their stand known during a press conference held in Abuja, where the leaders including Kenneth Emea of Bloggers; Oluwatoyin Animashaun of NPID; and Mohammed Abdullahi of COCSOAC described the accusations levelled against Kyari as unsubstantiated and basically to derail the critical progress he has made in the oil and gas sector.In an address read during the press conference, the coalition highlighted the landmark achievements by Kyari in the sector.

They said: “We are gathered here today to address the recent attacks and baseless calls for the removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). These unsubstantiated accusations are nothing more than attempts to derail the critical progress that has been achieved under his leadership.

We are here to stand in firm support of Mele Kyari and urge the President not to yield to these unfounded demands for his sack.“Since his appointment as GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari has been a transformative force in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, a sector that has long suffered from inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of accountability.

Under his watch, there has been a profound shift toward transparency, professionalism, and operational efficiency.

His stewardship has saved billions of naira, ensuring that NNPCL can finally act as a reliable and accountable player in the global oil industry while driving national economic growth. Kyari has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to cleaning up the sector, implementing key reforms that have restored investor confidence and positioned Nigeria on the path to energy self-sufficiency.

“One of the landmark achievements under Mele Kyari’s leadership has been the successful transition of NNPC into a limited liability company (NNPCL), operating with greater transparency and subject to industry best practices. This restructuring was crucial for creating a financially viable, market-driven entity that can compete with global oil giants. This historic shift is the result of visionary leadership and dedication to reform—a testament to Kyari’s resolve in transforming NNPCL from a government entity into a commercially viable and profit-driven corporation.

“Moreover, Kyari has been instrumental in reducing the long-standing problem of oil theft, which has cost Nigeria billions of dollars annually. Through strategic partnerships with security agencies, he has championed efforts to curb this menace, enhancing the nation’s revenue base and enabling a fair share of resources for development. Kyari’s efforts are restoring accountability in the oil sector and demonstrating what can be achieved with principled leadership and a commitment to national interests.”

However, the coalition expressed pain and disappointment from some Nigerians who have failed to acknowledge rather intentionally are using a section of the media to disparage and condemn the NNPCL boss.“We recognize that reform is often met with resistance, especially from those who have benefited from the previous status quo.

The recent calls for Kyari’s sack appear to be orchestrated by these interests, who are threatened by the transparency and accountability he has brought to the oil sector. But we stand here today to affirm that Nigeria cannot afford to reverse the gains that have been achieved.

Therefore, they called on President Tinubu not to heed to the calls to sack Kyari, “We call upon the President to remain steadfast and not succumb to these baseless demands. Nigeria needs leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo and work in the best interests of the nation, as Kyari has consistently demonstrated.

“In conclusion, we urge all well-meaning Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to lend their voices to support Mele Kyari and the reforms he has championed.

“Let us reject the divisive tactics of those who seek personal gain at the expense of national progress. The oil sector reforms under Kyari’s leadership have brought us hope and a renewed sense of purpose, and we must not allow vested interests to undermine these achievements.”

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Ringo Sport Club, National Parks Service Team Up to Promote Eco-Tourism, Combat Climate Change

Published

32 mins ago

October 24, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and the National Park Service (NPS) have begun moves to strengthen collaboration on eco-tourism promotion, environmental protection and climate change mitigation ahead of the maiden Nigerian Para-Military Ringo Sport Tournament (NIPAMRIST) 2026.

The National President of Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Organising Committee (NIAOC) of NIPAMRIST, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Musa Goni, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.

The visit was part of ongoing stakeholder engagements to secure the participation of personnel from para-military agencies and explore areas of cooperation ahead of the three-day tournament scheduled for November 19 to 21, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Sule said the tournament was designed to bring together officers and personnel of Nigeria’s para-military agencies to compete for honours while promoting inter-agency cooperation, national unity, physical fitness and general well-being.

He explained that the engagement with the National Park Service was aimed at strengthening preparations for the inaugural competition and building a lasting partnership that would extend beyond sports.

According to him, the National Park Service is a strategic partner in advancing the tournament’s objectives, particularly through the integration of sports and tourism to showcase Nigeria’s natural attractions and encourage environmental awareness.

Sule disclosed that the Service had registered for the tournament and that some of its personnel had benefited from the intensive Ringo sport training programme organised by the club.

He urged the Conservator-General to mobilise more personnel for the competition, stressing that adequate preparation and mass participation would contribute to the success of the tournament.

The Ringo Sport Club president added that NIPAMRIST offered an opportunity to use sports as a platform for promoting Nigeria’s eco-tourism potential, improving the fitness of security and para-military personnel, and encouraging stronger institutional partnerships.

He called for sustained collaboration between the club and the National Park Service to leverage the tournament’s visibility in promoting the country’s protected areas and supporting tourism development.

Responding, Goni expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the success of NIPAMRIST 2026.

He pledged that the National Park Service would encourage active participation by its personnel, describing the tournament as an avenue to improve physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and esprit de corps among staff.

The Conservator-General also welcomed the proposal for deeper cooperation on eco-tourism, noting that the Service had continued to pursue partnerships that support biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and tourism development across Nigeria’s protected areas.

Goni linked the growing effects of climate change to environmental degradation and the neglect of environmental protection principles, noting that damage to ecosystems and the depletion of natural protective cover could contribute to displacement, migration and conflicts.

He said the relationship between sports and eco-tourism presented an opportunity to raise public awareness about Nigeria’s national parks while encouraging healthy lifestyles among service personnel and the wider population.

Goni assured the organising committee of the Service’s readiness to explore practical areas of cooperation before, during and after the tournament.

He also clarified that Nigeria has 17 national parks, with about 13 currently in active operation, correcting what he described as the misconception in some quarters that the country has only seven parks.

The visit ended with both parties agreeing to establish a working framework for the Service’s participation in the tournament and sustain discussions on eco-tourism promotion and other areas of mutual interest.

The organising committee expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen NIPAMRIST 2026 and support its broader objectives of sports development, institutional cooperation and tourism promotion.

NIPAMRIST is the maiden inter-agency Ringo sport tournament organised by Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria for officers and personnel of Nigerian para-military establishments.

The 2026 edition is expected to feature 120 players and officials from eight agencies, including the National Park Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.

The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to 21 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

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