Niger Delta Integrity Group Hails Appointment of Isiyaku Abdullahi as MD, PPMC

By Lucky Isibor.

Niger Delta Integrity Group, a coalition of Thirty-two (32) Civil Society Organisations based in the oil-rich Niger Delta drawn from Human Rights, Host Oil Communities, Women Groups, Faith Based Organisations and Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) has hailed the appointment of Isiyaku Abdullahi as the Managing Director, Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), describing his appointment as “a square peg in a square hole.”

The Pan-Niger Delta Group in a statement issued in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday and signed by its President and Executive Director of Peoples Assembly for the Good Governance of Niger Delta, Dr.  Ebimitie Seminentari and the Group’s Secretary General and Executive Director of Edo Support Group for Human and Peoples Rights, Comrade Nicholas Edosomwman equally lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari for considering a tested and trusted Official who grew from the ranks from his early days at the IDSL, a subsidiary of the NNPC in Benin City as the new Managing Director of the PPMC.

“We know Isiyaku Abdullahi very well when he served  at the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) in Benin City as  not just a people’s man but someone with rich knowledge of the Niger Delta, who we trust will ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products not just across the 36 states of Nigeria, but the Niger Delta in particular.

“As keen observers of the ongoing reforms at the corporation, we know  Abdullahi as a key and courageous member of the Mele Kyari team capable of delivering on the transformation agenda of the current management of the corporation,” the statement noted.

The Group further stated that “Isiyaku Abdullahi's performances as Group General Manager in the Finance & Accounts Directorate under the amiable and knowledgeable Oil and Gas Professional Umar Isa Ajiya, the CFO/GED F&A was recognized. The GMD, Kyari is also known to watch closely, the efforts of both managerial and other categories of staff at the NNPC,” adding that Abdullahi will surely contribute to the transparency and accountability efforts  of the new NNPC.

While eulogised Abdullahi's efforts to enthrone a regime of transparency and  accountability in previous positions held in NNPC, the group noted that, "We are aware that prior to his appointment as the Managing Director of PPMC, Isiyaku Abdullahi in his capacity as the Group General Manager (GGM) Accounts of the NNPC ensured the publication of years 2018, 2019 and 2020 NNPC group and NAPIMS Audited Financial Statements (AFS) as directed by the GMD and approved by Mr President, which for the first time in 44 years history of the NNPC posted a profit of N287billion". 

A consummate team player, Abdullahi is a bundle of joy to work with. His subordinates have one nice story or the other to tell of his leadership albeit fair and firm on professionalism and tasks assigned to him. 

President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 graciously approved Abdullahi Isiyaku’s appointment as General Manager Finance, NNPC Pensions Ltd and left huge accomplishment there too. 

We are optimistic, PPMC will be run efficiently by Abdullahi for the benefit of all Nigerians, competitively and profitably under the PIA era and the NNPC Ltd deregulation Mantra in the downstream sector of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry.