Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Ltd, had resigned.
Soneye’s resignation which came as a shock to media practitioners and public relations community was due to “personal reasons” linked to his desire to return to journalism and pursue other career opportunities open to him after spending time with his family, reports Realnews.
Announcing his resignation at the weekend in a statement, Soneye extended his heartfelt gratitude to industry stakeholders “for the unwavering support, professionalism, and genuine commitment you’ve shown in helping to shape and amplify the NNPC Ltd story over the past 20 months.
“Your role in building a vibrant and effective communications presence for our national energy company has been nothing short of invaluable.”
“He managed the image of the NNPCL professionally and his effective communication skills and good public image he built for the company earned him two prominent awards from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR),” said Maureen Chigbo, president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
She added that Soneye had good and solid relations with the media industry, especially the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers. “It is hoped that whoever succeeds him will continue from where he stopped to enhance the image of the NNPCL.”
Soneye’s full statement reads:
Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all for the unwavering support, professionalism, and genuine commitment you’ve shown in helping to shape and amplify the NNPC Ltd story over the past 20 months. 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 organisation with whom I have worked.
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.
With sincere appreciation, Olufemi Soneye.
