Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL GMD,
Mele Kolo Kyari, has told of his humble beginning, saying he was an Almajiri.
Almajiri, a system of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria, in his own case are little children of such schools left with Quaran teachers by uncaring parents culminating in the pupils going around to beg for food and money.
The NNPCL boss related his humble past on the occasion of his 60th birthday in a tweet on his X handle.
“Allah, by his grace, spared my life to this exceptional day, making it my 60th year from birth, even much earlier on the Hijra calendar.
“I am profoundly grateful to my country for giving me the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.
“My deep appreciation to my family, friends and associates, my colleagues at work and my teachers (western and of Almajiri extractions) and many unmentioned people who account for many of my accomplishments, unconditional support and my overall wellbeing,” he wrote.
