WED, 06 JULY, 2022-theGBJournal| Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, has died, the Organisation announced in the early hours of today.
OPEC said the outgoing Secretary General passed away in Nigeria, Tuesday, and described his passing as a ‘’profound loss to the entire OPEC Family, the oil industry and the international community.’’
‘’This tragedy is a shock to the OPEC Family. We express our sorrow and deep gratitude for the over 40 years of selfless service that Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo gave to OPEC. His dedication and leadership will inspire OPEC for many years to come,’’ OPEC said on its Twitter handle.
Barkindo was guest to Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday while on a visit to Nigeria. The President had paid glowing tribute to the Secretary-General, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the country.
Receiving Barkindo at State House, the President said posterity will remember him kindly for making the nation and himself proud during his six years of meritorious service at the helm of affairs as the 4th OPEC Secretary-General from Nigeria. He then directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to mobilise the oil and gas industry to organise a befitting welcome reception in his honour.
‘‘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,’’ Buhari said while receiving him at the State House, Abuja.
Barkindo is renowned for 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.
President Buhari described the effort as a ‘’herculean task.’’
Barkindo provided experienced administrative management to OPEC during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. His efforts no doubt have helped place the Organization in a stronger position to confront the challenges that came with the pandemic.
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