By Agunwa Uzendu, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described late Secretary-General of OPEC, Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo aged 63 as a worthy Ambassador of Nigeria who left indelible marks in the service of the Nation.
The Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement on Wednesday said the late ambassador was committed to his job and died in active service.
He said, “I am saddened by the passing away of the Wali of Adamawa, Secretary-General of OPEC, and former GMD NNPC, Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo.
“Barkindo left indelible marks in his service to our nation and OPEC. He was indeed a worthy ambassador of Nigeria. He 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. My condolences to his family and friends, management and staff of NNPC and OPEC.
“I pray that Allah forgives his sins and grants him Aljannah Firdaus”
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, aannounced Barkindo’s had announced the death of Barkindo in a tweet in the early hours of Wednesday.
Kyari said the former NNPC GMD died at about 11pm on Tuesday, describing his demise as a great loss to his family, NNPC Nigeria, OPEC and the global energy community.
He wrote, “We lost our esteemed Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11 pm yesterday 5th July 2022. Certainly a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC and the global energy community. Burial arrangements will be announced shortly.”