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Alleged Corruption: 50 CSOs Indict, Demand Kyari’s Sack, Prosecution Within 7 days
A coalition of 50 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs under the auspices the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, yesterday, indicted and demanded for the sack and prosecution of the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL, Engr Mele Kyari, within 7 days over alleged infractions and corruption.
The CSOs gave the 7-day ultimatum in a petition addressed to Kyari, alleging his “misguided actions”, saying his alleged misconduct and abuse of office “undermine President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”
The petition reads in part: “We, the members of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room stand united to express our concern over the direction of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under your watch as its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mallam Mele Kyari.
“It is abysmal and disturbing for the NNPC Limited to become an epicenter of controversy due to the misguided actions of Malam Mele Kyari, which not only undermine President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda but also cast a shadow on the credibility of the National oil company.
“We write today to demand your immediate resignation from office as GCEO of NNPC Limited due to your deficiency in character required of your office and in a government that promises to renew the Hope of Nigerians.
“We deeply express our shock over this high level of corruption by you even when you know that our dear beloved President Tinubu is putting in efforts to salvage the country from its current economic quagmire. A man completely clothed in the garment of corruption has no place in the government of President Tinubu hence our insistence that you should immediately resign within 7 days.
“We know the struggle and pain we went through for him during the electioneering campaign and we want a prosperous reign under his leadership devoid of corrupt practices by his appointees.
“Our demand for your sack arises from the alleged irregularities and corruption in the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under your (Kyari) watch as the GCEO.
“The shoddy acquisition deal between you Mele Kyari-led NNPCL management & NNPCL retail group and the company, Nueoil and OVH Energy is alleged to have cost hundreds of billions of Naira caused by alleged over bloated assets with the merger of the acquired company not yet formalised.
“You, NNPCL GCEO, Mele Kyari, had told the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee that the acquisition of OVH Energy was properly done and it gave the NNPCL over 30 per cent control of the downstream sector with a profit of N18.4 billion in the first quarter of 2023, a position which has been disputed by industry players as not backed by any documentary evidence.
“It was gathered that the National oil company paid cash amounting to over $325.09 million (N140.559 billion) for the acquisition of Oando-branded retail stations and a reception jetty in Apapa, among other facilities with allegation trailing the acquisition that some of the acquired assets are alleged not to have belonged fully to OVH or licensed.
“The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room therefore calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to contain your excesses as the GCEO of NNPC Limited.
“Therefore, we are issuing a 7-day ultimatum to you, the GCEO of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, to resign from office or else we will storm the NNPC headquarters with over 500 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to protest against you.
“President Tinubu has indeed distinguished himself as a man who truly loves Nigeria, his continued trips across the world to woo international investors to Nigeria cannot work with persons like Mele Kyari and his cohorts who due to their selfishness have continued to destroy the good image of our dear Nation with your corrupt ways.
Meanwhile, according to the petitioners, a reliable online media organisation had reported that NNPC Ltd in October 2022 announced the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing Limited’s downstream assets. By this acquisition, OVH Energy would be merged with NNPC Retail, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd.
The assets acquired from the company, which operates Oando filling stations, also include a reception jetty with 240,000 metric tonnes monthly capacity and eight liquefied petroleum gas plants, three lube blending plants, three aviation depots, and 12 warehouses.
But in June 2023, its investigation on the acquisition exposed the secret deals and the complicated ownership structure that left managerial control of NNPC Retail in the hands of OVH Energy Marketing.
The report also exposed how OVH Energy Marketing only had about 94 stations and how over 100 stations were leased.
In addition, the report highlighted how Mr Stokman, an expatriate and former Chief Executive Officer, CEO, OVH Energy, emerged as the new Managing Director of NNPC Retail, a development that further compounded the structure of NNPC Retail.
The report was submitted by the Hon Hassan Nalabraba-led ad hoc committee investigating the controversial acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing Limited’s downstream assets by NNPC Limited after the panel presented a report many lawmakers described as “suspicious and shabby.”
The report was denied by members of the committee, who accused their chairman of failing to carry out a proper investigation as directed by the House but produced a report not signed by any member of the committee.
Therefore, the committee, tasked with investigating the controversial deal, was relieved of its duties during the consideration of the report on the investigation. The task was subsequently transferred to the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) for a fresh investigation.
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NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
