TheCable

Garba Deen Muhammad, former spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), says he has not been informed of his removal from office.

TheCable had earlier reported that Ndu Ughamadu, a former spokesman of  the corporation, had been appointed to take over from Muhammad.

But NAN quoted Muhammed as saying that he had not received any official communication to that effect.

“I cannot comment on the rumour of reshuffle. I heard about it but I’ve not received any communication officially,” he reportedly said.

“I cannot confirm or deny the story because I have not been informed; when I get any information I will update you.”

However, the NNPC later issued a statement to announce the appointment and redeployment of top management staff, including Muhammad.

“The Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru said that the changes were informed by the desire to consolidate on the restructuring exercise through realigning jobs with requisite competences and experiences in line with international best practices while taking deliberate measures to ensure fairness and equity as well as the capacity to deliver,” the statement read.

“As you might have heard, His Excellency Mr. President has approved the high level organogram of the corporation and appointment of staff into various positions. Most importantly, the changes were done in the spirit of entrenching professionalism and accountability which is a cardinal principle of our 12 business focus areas which are hinged on the slogan moving NNPC Forward…Together.

“In all, 109 management staff were promoted while 24 were redeployment in the exercise which saw the return of veteran journalist, Ndu Ughamadu as group general manager, group public affairs division. He takes over from Garba Deen Muhammad.”