According NNPC, Minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison Madueke has been appointed the president of the Organization of Petroleum exporting Countries (OPEC).
At the 166th meeting of the body in Vienna Austria, Diezani becomes the first female to hold the position. She was appointed minister of petroleum in 2010, a position she held against all odds.
Until her election, Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who would serve for one year, was OPEC’s alternate president.
She is expected to commence work immediately to pilot the affairs of the organization at a time members are coming together to find ways of curbing falling global crude oil prices, which dropped to about $73.07 per barrel on Wednesday.
Mr. Al-Ahirish had said at the opening of the private meeting that apart from the impact of speculative activities in the oil market, ample supply, moderate demand, a stronger value of the dollar and uncertainties about global economic growth, were the other key factors moderating price movement in the market in recent times.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke, one of President Goodluck Jonathan’s closest allies, has been accused of mismanaging the oil sector in Nigeria and allowing corruption to thrive.
A 2012 House of Representatives report into the management of petrol subsidy blamed the minister for failing to stop dubious marketers from swindling the government to the tune of over N2 trillion.
The minister has been one of the most criticized in Mr. Jonathan’s cabinet, and anti-corruption bodies had protested the move by OPEC to name her the new president of the oil bloc.
ubesie chukwuebuka chidiogo says
Am not suprised at ur reccent promotion
maa..you r not only a go getter but an
empitome of beauty and success.you are a role
model to many Nigerian youths and we are
proud of you.May God bless u more as your
tenure in OPEC is going to experince a positive
turn around just because you are at the helm of
affairs.Congrats Maa.
Congrat Madam, we hope you will represent not
only Nigeria but the entire Africa!
Congratulations. Wishing you more benevolence
and long life and prosperity to cherished the
fruits of your labour.