By Oluwaseun Sonde
The former Nigerian Vice President and the People Democratic Party Presidential flagbearer, Abubakar Atiku has saddened by the passing of Wali of Adamawa, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC Secretary-General, Sanusi Barkindo on Tuesday.
Atiku who made this known on his official social media platform on Wednesday, said Barkindo left indelible marks in his service to the nation and OPEC, indeed a worthy ambassador of Nigeria.
According to him, Barkindo died in active service, having delivered a speech at the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja and held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari hours before passing. He was my very good friend, and he will be sorely missed".
The former Vice President sent his condolences to Barkindo's family and friends, management and staff of NNPC and OPEC. "I pray that Allah forgives his sins and grants him Aljannah Firdaus. Ameen", PDP Presidential candidate said.
Meanwhile, late Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, on Tuesday, was received by the President, Buhari, who showered praises on him.
At the meeting in the Council Chamber, Buhari told Barkindo, “You have indeed been a worthy ambassador of our country. We're proud of your achievements before and during your appointment at OPEC and the proud legacies you will leave behind."
Sanusi Barkindo reportedly died about 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday. His tenure as OPEC Secretary-General was to end July 31, 2022. He was born 20th April 1959 in Yola, Adamawa State.
Graduated from Ahmadu Bello University (1981), held a diploma in Petroleum Economics from Oxford (1988) and an MBA from Washington University (1991).
Between January 2009 and April 2010, Barkindo served as Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC.
Also, he served as Nigeria’s National Representative on OPEC’s Economic Commission Board (1993-2008), a pioneer member of the International Energy Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that has helped strengthen and consolidate OPEC/non-OPEC cooperation and dialogue.
Barkindo was at the helm of affairs at OPEC for six years as the fourth OPEC Secretary-General from Nigeria. He was expected to join the Atlantic Council as a distinguished fellow in the Global Energy Center after the conclusion of his term at OPEC. The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center promotes energy security.
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