The law, the oil, the “Twitter-tribal” row; and 8 other things you should know about new NNPC boss Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu

President Muhammadu Buhari just appointed Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Here are four things you should know about the new NNPC boss.

1. The Law

He’s a First Class Graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School. He’s also got Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School.

2. The Oil

He was an Investment Attorney in the United States; General Counsel‎ with Texaco Upstream and Downstream in Nigeria; Executive Vice Chairman of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited; and General Counsel for ExxonMobil Nigeria affiliate Upstream and Downstream Companies in Nigeria.

He started his working career with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank before moving on to Texaco Nigeria Limited from where he joined Exxon-Mobil.

A tribally slanted Twitter row trails the appointment of Kachikwu. — A tribe-slanted Twitter row trails the appointment of Kachikwu.

3. The Literature

In 1989, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu assembled a team of some of the best writers in Nigeria to pioneer romance journalism, a genre that explores romantic tales and relationship issues across the country.

Premium Times reports that Hints magazine, a weekly publication by Mr. Kachikwu’s True Tales Publications Limited, was an instant success in the 1990’s, especially for the youth.

Kachikwu’s media empire also comprises of Complete Fashion, Beauty Box, and Hello Nigeria.

4‎. …and the Twitter row

Buhari’s been accused of being tribal with his appointments. After appointing an “Igbo” man the head of NNPC, tweeps still had something to say.

Yesterday, our Sole administrator defied my predictions and appointed a southerner and Igbo man- Dr. Kachikwu as NNPC boss.
— Ebube 5% (@akaebube) August 5, 2015

If Buhari had appointed an Owerri man as MD of NNPC, Wailing Wailers would have said he's not real Igbo, because he's not from Onitsha!
— KoloKK | #SocialGood (@KoloKennethK) August 5, 2015

A Northerner gets appointed, he's from the North. A Southerner gets appointed, he's either Yoroba or South-East or South-South or fake Igbo.
— Callings... (@CollinsUma) August 5, 2015

This Igbo/Non-Igbo issue was just an excuse to avoid conceding to the fact that GMB made a mess of pple's accusation of him being sectional
— Rita C. Onwurah (@RitaOnwurah) August 4, 2015

If they say does of us from Delta who speak Igbo are not "really igbo", then so be it. At least they agree we are Nigerian.
— HENRY Okelue (@4eyedmonk) August 4, 2015

When they steal our money they are not Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Etsako, Fulani, Nupe, Kanuri, Ijaw Igbira They are corrupt looters #Shikena
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) August 4, 2015

President Muhammad Okechukwu Buhari Ogbuagu 1 appoints his "brother" Dr Emmanuel Kachikwu GMD NNPC. #RadioBiafra pic.twitter.com/q44jLhezRL
— Elrufai Is Kaduna (@Elrufai4Kaduna) August 4, 2015

…and here’s what Yes International Magazine found about “Kachi,” as the new NNPC boss is now being called on Twitter.

He was born some 58 years ago.
He hails from Onicha Ugbo, in Aniocha North local government area of Delta State.
He is married to two women, Elizabeth and Mariam. The first wife, Elizabeth has three children – Nkem, Emeka and Uche.
He holds the titles of Odogwu and Omeudo of Onicha Ugbo as well as Gbadegun of Owo, Ondo State.
His country home is one of the most beautiful and costliest in his homestead. It’s called Eden Retreat.
Respected writers like Toni Kan, Reuben Abati, Kayode Ajala, etc cut their teeth writing for his papers.
He is a staunch Catholic.
He’s fun loving and once bought the latest Mercedes Benz which his father, a Justice, refused to lend him money to clear on arrival.