Lagos representative in NNPC stagnant as Acting MD since 2023 without confirmation, Natives alert, appeal to Tinubu

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

De Renaissance Patriots Group has once again found it necessary to issue this Press Release in continuation of what had been agitating the minds of the indigenes of Lagos State on the issue of representation and marginalization on its people.

These were the words of the socio-cultural organisation for Lagos State indigenes in the new release dated July 7, 2024 jointly signed by its Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele,
President, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, and Mr. Yomi Tokosi, its
Secretary General, and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Sunday.

This time, the group of Lagos natives said, the focus will be on the Federal Government level and also serve to address two separate but interwoven purposes.

“1.To dispel misconception on the gentlemen referred to as ‘Lagos boys’ who the President has appointed into various offices at the Federal.

“De Renaissance Patriots Foundation opines that since the President assumed office, there has been consistent allegations that he has been nepotistic in his appointments by favouring Lagos State or its indigenes and we share a different view.

“As a group, whose major objective is to ensure that the indigenes of Lagos State demand and get what ordinarily should be rightfully theirs, our own records and observations on Mr. President’s appointments do not support this position.

“The fact of the matter Is that most of the so called “Lagos boys”, who are beneficiaries of the appointments are not indigenes of Lagos State. They are indigenous to other states. It is not our intentions to list the names now, to cause unnecessary embarrassment but, we hasten to point out that only three of these appointees are actually indigenes of our state.

“If we are challenged, we will make the list available. We recognize two personal aides of the President as bonafide indigenes of our state, to wit: Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of staff to the President) and Hakeem Muri-Okunola (Principal Private Secretary to the President) and their appointments are not subjected to any constitutional provision that stipulates spread as in Federal Character. The Governor of Central Bank, Mr. Yemi Cardoso is also an indigene of the state.

“We are making this clarification so that Nigerians will know that Lagos State has not unduly benefited from the present administration and we are seizing this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President to treat Lagos State indigenes fairly and equally in his appointments. Let’s give Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar.

“2. To demand adjustment in Federal Institutions that will reflect Federal Character especially in NNPC and its top managerial levels. Another angle to our continuous fight against marginalization beams our search light on the NNPC and we will reference a statement made by the National Chairman of Urhobo Oil and Gas Nationality, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, in an interview with Arise TV where he expressed the Urhobo people’s discontent with their absence from key roles in the oil and gas sector.

“He noted that out of the 55 chief executives in the NNPC, 36 are from Northern Nigeria, while only 16 represent the entire Southern region. He argued that the Urhobo people have been overlooked not only at the federal level but also at the state level, emphasizing their frustration with the ongoing lack of representation and consideration. We share these sentiments as reflective of our own situation.

“This has made us look into our state’s representation in NNPC. We could only identify one indigene at that level and the person’s career progression has been thwarted unfairly for sometimes.

“We reference Dr Adebimpe Foluso Pearce (MBBS) who Joined NNPC in April 1992 as a Medical officer and rose through the ranks and became a Deputy Manager Occupational Health in 2007 (one of the youngest). She became a full Manager 3 years later in 2010.

“She managed Mosimi Zone 2013 to 2016. Also Lagos Medical zone from May 2016 till September 2023 and moved to Abuja as acting MD NNPC Medical Services and had stagnated on the acting position since then even after the substantive holder of that position had retired.

“Against the normal trend of things, she ought to have been confirmed. She retires next year.

“De Renaissance Patriots Foundation wishes to draw attention to above hoping that the concerns of our people will be addressed,” De Renaissance Patriots Foundation said in the latest statement on its concerns.