Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni people, MOSOP, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe, as a member of the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum, NNPC, representing South-South geo-political zone.
MOSOP said Abe’s appointment was based on merit in recognition of his vast experience and capacity, as he hitherto chaired Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream and Senate Committee on FERMA in the 7th and 8th National Assembly.
A statement signed by MOSOP President, Chief DeeBari Gbaranor Keeper, and Secretary-General, Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, stated that by Abe’s appointment, President Buhari has shown that minorities matter in his administration.
The apex Ogoni group also expressed optimism that Senator Abe will bring his wealth of experience and resourcefulness to bear on the office.
They, however, urged the former senator to ensure that the office improves the well-being of the people, while also calling for his support from the people of the South-South including Ogonis.
“We commend the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari for not only finding our son worthy of the position but for considering the minorities in his administration. By this singular act, Mr President has shown that minority matter.
“However, it is not lost on us that the appointment did not come on a platter of gold but won on merit in recognition of his vast experience and capacity. Prior to this appointment, Senator Abe was a former Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream and Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA in the 7th and 8th National Assembly, respectively. And his impact in those offices as in others remain unsurpassed.
“MOSOP thus has no doubt that Senator Abe will bring his wealth of experience and resourcefulness to bear on this office. Since his achievements in such other elevated positions stay visible, we have no doubt in our minds that he will also excel in this one.
“Nonetheless, we would counsel that he does whatever he can within the ambit of his mandate to ensure that the office improves the well-being of the people. We would as well urge all well-meaning Nigerians especially the peoples of the South-South including Ogonis to rise in his support.”
