By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has condemned the allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement leveled against the Principal and CEO of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Dr Samuel Onoji.
The coalition comprises over 100 groups from the six geo-political zones of the country.
In a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Coordinator, Network for Good Governance, Ediseni Yiki, described the accusations as a "campaign of calumny".
According to him, the allegation is orchestrated to tarnish Dr Onoji’s reputation and undermine his administration’s achievements.
He explained that findings by the coalition showed individuals behind these allegations were former officials with questionable records who are attempting to deflect attention from their own corrupt past.
"These detractors aim to manipulate public perception and pressure President Bola Tinubu into removing Dr Onoji despite his remarkable accomplishments at PTI.
However, Yiki said the coalition expressed confidence that the Federal Government, led by President Tinubu, the Minister of Petroleum, and the broader international community, were well aware of the significant strides made by Onoji since assuming office.
Outlining the key milestones that demonstrate the success and positive impact of Onoji’s leadership, he said PTI had continued to uphold its reputation for excellence in engineering and science education, maintaining high academic standards.
He added that Onoji had reinforced PTI’s commitment to providing world-class technical training, as highlighted during the matriculation ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic session.
"As an experienced academic and administrator, Onoji has positioned PTI as Africa’s leading oil and gas technological institute, with a focus on quality training, research, and consultancy for the petroleum industry.
"The coalition urged President Tinubu, the Minister of Petroleum, and other key stakeholders to disregard the "frivolous allegations" against Onoji, reaffirming their trust in his leadership," he said.
He further called on media organisations and anti-corruption agencies to avoid being used as tools to malign his reputation.
Reiterating their unwavering support, the coalition officially passed a vote of confidence in Onoji, encouraging him to remain focused on his mission at PTI and not be distracted by "naysayers and selfish individuals." (NAN)
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