We’ve lost huge national asset, Buhari pays tribute to Barkindo

The late Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Muhammad Barkindo, has been buried in the Adamawa State capital, Yola.

He was interred at the main cemetery in Yola Town, Yola South Local Government Area, Wednesday evening.

The remains of Barkindo had arrived Yola Tuesday afternoon.

His funeral prayer was attended by the Adamawa Emirate paramount ruler, the Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustafa, FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, and Secretary to the Adamawa State Government (SSG), Malam Bashiru Ahmad, among other dignitaries.

The state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, is currently not in the country, but his Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou has released a statement in which the governor consoled with the Barkido family.

“I received news of the passing of Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo with sadness; the late Barkindo will be remembered as a respected son of Adamawa and OPEC family. His demise is a sad day for me and the people of Adamawa and Nigeria,” Fintiri said.

“I extend, on behalf of the people and Government of Adamawa State, my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the immediate family, NNPC, OPEC, the people and Government of Adamawa State, over the death of the historic Secretary General of OPEC… May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the governor added.

Barkindo’s death had been announced in the early hours of Wednesday by NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari.

Barkindo had seemed healthy on Tuesday when he was received at the State House by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened by the death of Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, the Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the  President paid tribute to the remarkable gentleman and enormous national asset, who from his youthful days worked meritoriously in the service of the nation in various national and international capacities, and never stopped being a beacon of light to the country he loved until his last breath.

The President affirms that Barkindo’s undeniable brilliance and legacies as a dedicated public servant will remain a reference point in the oil and gas industry, international development and the environment sector.

The President recalls that his profound decency and mien greatly endeared him to Nigerians and other nationals who came in direct contact with him as a young Principal Administrative Officer with the Nigeria Mining Corporation; Special Assistant to the Minister of Mines, Power and Steel as well as Minister of Petroleum Resources; and later in his 24 years of service in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Nigerian Delegate to OPEC Ministerial Conferences; Nigeria’s Governor for OPEC; and leader of Nigeria’s technical delegations to the climate change negotiations since inception in 1991 that produced the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC.

The President salutes Barkindo’s leadership at OPEC, including during very turbulent times in 2016 and 2020, noting that the Declaration of Cooperation birthed under his watch helped strengthen and consolidate OPEC/non-OPEC cooperation and dialogue.

family, colleagues at OPEC, as well as the government and people of Adamawa State.

He prayed God almighty to grant repose to the soul of the departed and comfort to all who mourn.

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