The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo is dead.
His death was announced by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Limited), Mallam Mele Kyari via his personal twitter account.
Kyari wrote: “We lost our esteemed Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11pm 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”.
Recall, Barkindo attended the opening ceremony of the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference (NOG) in Abuja and met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, yesterday.
He would be completing his six-year meritorious service as the OPEC Secretary General on 31 July 2022, after serving for the maximum allowed two terms.
Just last week, the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva congratulated him on his successful completion of two terms as the OPEC Scribe.
“You took over the running of the affairs of OPEC at a very challenging time in the oil industry, when oil producers were finding it difficult to come together to address a supply glut that was crippling the oil market, No sooner than you came in, the desperately sought cooperation agreement among producers that seemed to defy possible solutions and eluded the wisdom of the wise men; started to fall in place.
“You made it look so simple to achieve to the admiration of all global players in the industry.
“It is time to bring home the laurels, Wel done, Nigeria is proud of you. In particular; the petroleum industry appreciates you. Be rest assured that resounding accolades await you in your motherland, Mohammad. Congratuiations”, Sylva wrote.
At the State House yesterday, President Buhari congratulated him as a worthy ambassador of the country.
“You have indeed been a worthy ambassador of our country. We are proud of your achievements before and during your appointment at OPEC and the proud legacies you will leave behind.
“Your time in charge of the affairs of OPEC has been a very challenging one for the global oil industry. Oil producers were finding it difficult to come together to address challenges that were crippling the oil market.
“Not long after, the world was faced with the COVID-19 pandemic that sent crude prices spiralling down at an alarming rate. You showed incredible leadership to rally industry players and pushed through the turbulent times.
“There is no doubt about your efforts in putting together the Declaration of Cooperation which is the largest in the history of OPEC and the global oil industry and also the longest in duration in the history of the organization. This was a herculean task,” the President said.
