New manager of Nigeria’s state oil company fired; president calls for ‘comprehensive audit’
By APTuesday, May 18, 2010
New manager of Nigeria’s state oil company fired
ABUJA, Nigeria — Officials say the new managing director of Nigeria’s state oil company has been fired.
A spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan said Monday that Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. director Shehu Ladan had been removed from his position. The spokesman said Austin Oniwon, director of the state oil firm’s refinery and petrochemical division, would take over as managing director.
The spokesman also said the president “ordered a comprehensive audit” of the state oil company’s accounts.
Ladan’s firing comes only a month after he took over at the state oil company. He replaced former director Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, who the president also fired without giving a reason.
Nigeria is one of the top suppliers of crude oil to the U.S.
