The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has praised the Minister of Petroleum and Commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Mele Kyari, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for revitalising the nations ailing refineries.

In a new year address by NYCN President, Amb. Solomon Adodo on the 1st of January 2024, the youth body acknowledged the fact that Nigerians have endured rough times due to the inevitable reform policies of the current administration but expressed satisfaction with gains recorded so far, adding that, efforts must be made to sustain the gains through collective efforts and collaboration with the government.

“The outgone year, 2024 no doubt, had its grueling challenges, especially economically, occassioned by some inevitable economic policies of the government. These hard decisions to execute reforms under the courageous leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have paved the way for many positives and offers the youth diverse estuaries of productivity and wealth creation in the year 2025.

“One of the notable achievements of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu  administration has been the reactivation of the NNPCL Refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri. Efforts are also underway to fix the refineries in Kaduna and a second one in Port Harcourt. This is in a bid to increase refining capacity, end importation of petroleum products and create millions of jobs.

“With a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day BPD, the moribund state of Nigeria’s 4 refineries was to say the least, a deliberate economic sabotage which previous administrations willfully superintendent over. The vision and determination of Mele Kyari, in his role as the Group CEO of NNPCL, played a crucial role in spearheading the efforts to fix these refineries is worthy of commendation.

“Most specifically, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be applauded for its proactive approach in addressing the issues that had hindered the operations of refineries for so long. It is with the full support of the Federal Government that the Dangote refinery is also operating at full capacity despite attempts to paint the government in bad light by anti-patriotic elements. The conducive operating environment for the private sector players in the oil and gas sector shows the commitment of this administration in ending our energy crisis”, the address stated.

The youth group also highlighted some notable achievements of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration under the audacious renewed hope agenda to include “doubling of aggregate government revenues to over ₦9.1 trillion, the reduction in revenue spent on debt servicing from 97% to 68% and clearance of $5 billion in outstanding foreign exchange obligations.

“To reduce cost of transportation, the federal government launched the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to ease the burden of petrol price on the masses. This is in addition to the distribution of one million conversion kits to commercial vehicles to aid mass transit.

“On social welfare and human capital development, the current administration has established the student loan scheme and has processing of ₦45.6 billion for student payments.

The creation of the Consumer Credit Corporation with over ₦200 billion as well as the allocation of an additional

₦50 billion each for student loans and Credit Corporation should give us hope for a better Nigeria.

“Additionally, the current administration has secured $620 million under the Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDiCE) program, introduced the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) and the initiated the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

“Others are, support to 600,000 nano-businesses, with an additional 400,000 expected, processing of 75,000 beneficiaries for ₦1 million Micro and Small Business loans, construction of 10 MSME hubs, creating 240,000 jobs, payments of ₦1 billion each to several large manufacturers and the signing of the National Minimum Wage law, raising the minimum wage to ₦70,000 per month amongst others.

The address concluded by urging Nigerians “to see light at the end of the tunnel by cooperating, collaborating and supporting the federal government to actualise its plans and policies while shunning acts of divisive politics that seek to only divide and impoverish us”