The youth council representing oil and gas host communities in the Niger Delta region has publicly denounced a protest led by Jonathan Lokpobiri calling for the removal of Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The youth council characterized the protest as an “aberration” and pledged their unwavering support for Ojulari, urging President Bola Tinubu to disregard the demonstration and its demands. They emphasized their belief that the protest does not represent the sentiments of Niger Delta youths, asserting that it was a staged event orchestrated to disrupt the current administration’s progress. The youth council held a press conference in Warri, Delta State, to express their position and showcase their backing of Ojulari.
At the press conference, the youth council displayed placards expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Ojulari, whom they described as competent and transparent. They accused Lokpobiri of being paid to destabilize the oil sector and declared their support for Ojulari’s leadership. The placards highlighted Ojulari’s efforts in repositioning and sanitizing the oil sector, emphasizing the youth council’s firm stance in solidarity with him. The council president, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, addressed the media, urging President Tinubu to dismiss the “campaign of calumny” against Ojulari. He emphasized Ojulari’s significant contributions, including remitting over N20 trillion to the federal government coffers within a mere four months of his tenure.
Pathfinder vehemently denounced the call for Ojulari’s removal, describing it as an unjustifiable and shocking attempt to destabilize President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. He highlighted the positive reforms witnessed across various sectors, particularly in the oil and gas industry, since Tinubu assumed office. Speaking on behalf of the host communities, Pathfinder condemned the protest and reiterated their support for Ojulari. He underscored the GCEO’s transformative leadership, noting the regular monthly updates on revenue and profit, a practice he described as unprecedented.
A key achievement Pathfinder attributed to Ojulari’s leadership is the significant increase in oil production. Before Ojulari’s appointment, production levels languished at around 1.3 million barrels per day (mbpd). However, through collaborative efforts with host communities, Tantita Security Services, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, and law enforcement agencies, Ojulari managed to boost production to between 1.8 and 2 mbpd. This increase, according to Pathfinder, is a testament to Ojulari’s effective leadership and the positive impact he has had on the oil and gas sector. The youth council’s endorsement further solidified their conviction that Ojulari is the right person for the job and that calls for his removal are unfounded and counterproductive.
The youth council’s strong support for Ojulari underscores their belief in his ability to continue driving positive change within the oil and gas sector. They view his leadership as crucial for the stability and progress of the industry, and therefore, detrimental to the interests of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole. By openly condemning the protest and declaring their allegiance to Ojulari, they aimed to counter the negative narrative propagated by Lokpobiri and his supporters, and reaffirm their confidence in Ojulari’s leadership.
The public display of support from the Niger Delta youth council represents a significant boost for Ojulari and the ongoing efforts to reform the Nigerian oil and gas sector. By highlighting the positive impacts of Ojulari’s leadership, such as increased revenue generation and improved production levels, the youth council aimed to demonstrate the tangible benefits of his tenure. Their vocal opposition to the protest serves as a clear message to President Tinubu and the Nigerian public that removing Ojulari would be a detrimental step backwards for the industry and the nation’s economy. Their actions underscore the importance of stability and effective leadership in the crucial oil and gas sector, and signal their commitment to supporting those who work towards its advancement.
