Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, said the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, has transformed the petroleum company, reflecting his commitment to restoring Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Tompolo stated this yesterday while congratulating Kyari on his 60th birthday.

In a statement by his special adviser on Media and Communication, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo noted that Kyari has “remarkably transformed NNPCL to the acknowledgement and admiration of the doubting Thomases.”

The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation said, “Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, in sustained strides, has succeeded in putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development in tandem with the development blueprints and economic recovery plans of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as carefully enunciated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Ijaw leader recalled that Kyari rescued a then-comatose NNPC, adding that his success stories in transforming the organisation have attracted accolades from all relevant stakeholders.
Tompolo commended Kyari for restoring two of the nation’s refineries, Warri and Port-Harcourt.

“This has led to unlocking a total refining capacity of 117,000 barrels per day (bpd) with the operational take-off of both the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries in November and December 2024, respectively.

“The Port Harcourt refinery, which resumed production on November 26, 2024, after extensive rehabilitation, currently operates at 70 per cent, thus accounting for 42,000 barrels per day capacity, while the Warri refinery restarted operations on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 60 per cent capacity, translating to 75,000 barrels per day.

“This revival is expected to enhance Nigeria’s energy security and reduce reliance on imported refined products, marking a significant step in the country’s refining sector transformation,” Tompolo said in the congratulatory message.

Similarly, Tompolo, whose company, TSSNL, is the main actor in the war against crude oil theft and other sharp practices associated with petroleum products in the Niger Delta, appreciated the dexterity, focus, commitment and encouragement of Kyari in the battle to rescue the nation’s economic mainstay from the grip of the saboteurs.

“When the production of crude oil was threatened, you responded with unwavering resolve and developed the right security architecture, which culminated in the involvement of non-state actors, including TANTITA, in the task of policing oil pipelines and tackling crude oil theft and establishment of the state-of-art command and control centre.

“These bold, collaborative efforts curbed crude oil theft and sabotage.”

“It’s to your credit that you evolved, restructured from the dysfunctional NNPCL to a profit-making model, using sanity and efficiency as the watchwords towards steady increase and the consequential unimaginable quantum leap in the production of crude oil from the abysmal 600,000ppd to 1.8mbpd.

“The pointers that the crude oil production is itching towards 2mbpd is the hallmark of your innovative driven-culture.

“Sir, we celebrate and owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and your esteemed self a load of gratitude for the production level we attained today,” Tompolo further eulogised the virtues of Mele Kyari.

While wishing Mele Kyari a long life in sustained robust health in the task of nation-building, Tompolo expressed Tantita’s consistent and unbreakable collaboration with other states and non-actors in the substance of the upward crude oil production trend.

He said: “I, Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on behalf of the management and staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), congratulates the indefatigable GCEO of NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, on his glorious 60th birthday, today, January 8th, 2025.”

“As we pray the Almighty Allah to continue to grant you sound health, wisdom and strength in the task of nation building, TANTITA seizes this medium to renew its loyalty and commitment to the onerous tasks of sustaining the milestones being recorded under watch.”

The executive director of Hope Ambassadors for Peace in Africa Initiative (HAPAI), Amb. Frank A. Chinedu, has extended warm congratulations to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, as he marks his 60th birthday anniversary on Wednesday.

In a statement issued to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Amb. Chinedu praised Kyari’s outstanding leadership and transformative contributions to Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector.

He highlighted Kyari’s significant achievements, including the successful resuscitation of two refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri and the anticipated revival of the Kaduna Refinery.

He also acknowledged the celebrant’s efforts in boosting oil production and attracting substantial investments to the sector.

HAPAI, a non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-political organisation, described Kyari as a “hero of good governance and effective service delivery,” calling him “the man of the moment.”

The organisation expressed its best wishes for Kyari, praying for long life, good health, and continued success for him, his family, and the nation.

“Long live Mr. Mele Kyari. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the HAPAI executive director added.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari, has revealed that he was raised as an Almajiri school student before rising to lead the nation’s oil company.

Kyari stated this on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday in commemoration of his 60th birthday anniversary.

He expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President Bola Tinubu for the opportunities given him to serve the country, respectively.

He wrote: “Allah, by his grace, spared my life to this exceptional day, making it my 60th year from birth, even much earlier on the Hijri calendar.

“I am profoundly grateful to my country for giving me the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.

“Even more particular, I deeply appreciate the exceptional privilege given to me by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd.”

Kyari stated that he walked through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, failures and successes and many more, noting that only the sufficiency of Allah could explain his feats.

He adde: “Reflecting backwards alone can’t account for the profoundly eventful life I spent to this date, walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, fails and successes and many more that only the sufficiency of Allah will explain.

“At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing.

“I am hugely indebted to my family for being nearly absent for most of my later years serving our nation and the common good.

“My deep appreciation to my family, friends and associates, my colleagues at work and my teachers (western and of Almajiri extractions), and many unmentioned people who account for many of my accomplishments, unconditional support and my overall well-being.

“This is a turning point, and I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably.”