The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, has resigned from his position at the Natio
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, has resigned from his position at the National oil company after spending 20 months in office.
Soneye was appointed by the immediate past NNPC Boss, Mele Kyari.
A veteran journalist and media relations expert who was headhunted from his base in the United States to function as NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Soneye said the decision will allow him to devote more time to his family and attend to personal responsibilities that now require his closer presence.
He extended his heartfelt gratitude to all for the unwavering support, professionalism, and genuine commitment they had shown in helping to shape and amplify the NNPC Ltd story over the past 20 months.
He said, “Your role in building a vibrant and effective communications presence for our national energy company has been nothing short of invaluable. I wish to inform you that I have stepped aside from my role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd.
“This decision will allow me to devote more time to my family and attend to personal responsibilities that now require my closer presence. It has been a profound honour to serve both the Company and our country, and to contribute in my own way to the ongoing transformation of NNPC Ltd.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust reposed in me, the opportunities granted, and the incredible professionals both within and outside the organization with whom I have worked with. I remain a steadfast supporter and ambassador of NNPC Ltd wherever I go. I enjoin you, dear colleagues, to continue your robust, balanced, and constructive reportage in support of the Company’s noble mission and strategic role in Nigeria’s energy future.”
Soneye led the Corporate Communications team of the National Oil Company and was instrumental in driving the brand penetration, strategic communications initiatives, and stakeholder management of the company.
He is a member of reputable bodies including the Nigerian Union of Journalists, National Association of Black Journalist, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Guild of Corporate Online Media Publishers.
Soneye is the former president of the Nigerian Media Practitioners, Washington, DC.
He is also an accomplished media professional who started his glittering career in the field of the written word here in Nigeria before moving to the U.S. and working for a number of prestigious publications.
Imbued with the typical Nigerian can-do spirit, he has parlayed his career experience into forming several NGOs addressing the needs of media professionals and Africans in diaspora.
A man of many achievements, style and sophistication, he brought valuable contributions to the NNPC Limited and the Country.
Before Soneye’s coming, the NNPC was wrongly viewed by many Nigerians as a conduit pipe for the siphoning of government resources by private interests.
It was also perceived by many as operating as a secret society whose activities are shrouded in mystery.
Soneye’s coming changed all that. He came with a plan not only to change the ugly narrative about the NNPCL but to re-engineer its corporate communications processes and present to Nigerians and the international community, a world class organization run on global best practices.
He was committed to excellence and more robust stakeholder engagement in a way that ensures a smoother relationship and closer collaboration with its partners and the Nigerian public.
