Buhari names Baru as new NNPC GMD

…Kachikwu to chair new board of corporation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appointed Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru as the new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This was announced in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

Adesina said the appointment followed the composition of the board of the NNPC which was dissolved along with those of other federal establishment at the inception of the present administration.

Baru replaces the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who had been doubling as the GMD.

In the new order, however, the minister will hold sway as chairman of the board as statutorily provided, the statement noted.

Besides Kachikwu and Baru, other members of the board are Mallam Abba Kyari, Dr. Thomas M.A John and Dr. Pius O. Akinyelure.

They also included Dr. Tajuddeen Umar, Mallam Mohammed Lawal, Mallam Yusuf Lawal and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum resources.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as provided for under Section 1(2) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act of 1997, as amended.

“President Buhari urges the new board to ensure the successful delivery of the mandate of the NNPC, “and serve the nation by upholding the public trust placed on them in managing this critical national asset,” part of the statement read.