New NNPC GMD, Ibe Kachikwu, is publisher of romance, fashion magazines

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.

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.

On Tuesday, he was appointed the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Kachikwu, a Harvard trained lawyer, replaces Joseph Darwa as NNPC boss.

He graduated with a First Class in Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Nigerian Law School. He also had Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School.

Mr. Kachikwu worked as 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.

In 2009, after two decades of hitting the news stand every week, True Tales Publications Limited announced that Hints magazine would become a monthly publication.

In addition to Hints magazine, Mr. Kachikwu’s media empire also comprises of Complete Fashion, Beauty Box, and Hello Nigeria.

‎In the early years of Hints magazine, Mr. Kachikwu contributed stories as well as anchored a weekly column, ‘Fatherhood with Ibe,’ where he shared with his readers his experiences as a father.

In an interview with Asabeafrika, a celebrity blog, Kayode Ajala, a former editor of Hints magazine, gave an insight into how “professional” Mr. Kachikwu was.

“As editor, I would call him to harass him that he was not meeting my deadline,” said Mr. Ajala.

“Even though he was my employer, I would tell him ‘Hey, you have two stories to give me this week and you have not done it.’ And he will rush to do it, otherwise I will make a lot of noise that he is the one slowing dowm my production.”