By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate suspension of the inauguration of the newly constituted board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, confirmed the suspension of the inauguration in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
The NNPC board was supposed to be inaugurated on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, in Abuja, but the statement said this event has been halted till further notice.
However, no reason for the given for the latest development.
President Buhari recently chose Mr Ifeanyi Ararume as the Chairman of the board, while the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the new board, with Mr Umar Ajiya selected as the Chief Financial Officer.
Also appointed to the board as members were Constance Marshal (South-South), Lami Ahmed (North Central), Pius Akinyelure (South West), Margaret Chuba Okadigbo (South East), Mohammed Lawal (North West), and Tajudeen Umar (North East).
“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, November 24, 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,” the statement from Mr Mustapha disclosed.
Adedapo Adesanya