The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has expressed profound gratitude to God and those who contributed to his journey from an Almajiri School pupil to leading Africa’s largest energy company.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to mark his 60th birthday, Kyari reflected on his life’s journey, describing it as a series of trials and triumphs. He also thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve as the last Group Managing Director (GMD) of the old NNPC and the first CEO of NNPCL.
“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,” Kyari wrote.
“I am profoundly grateful to my country for allowing me to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company. Even more particularly, 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.”
Reflecting on his journey, Kyari acknowledged the complexities of his life.
“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,” he said.
Kyari also expressed deep appreciation to his family, friends, associates, colleagues, and mentors for their unconditional support, while seeking forgiveness from anyone he might have hurt unintentionally.
“This is a turning point, and I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably,” he added.
