By Eyo Nsima
The late Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Muhammad Barkindo, has been buried in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
The burial was attended by the Adamawa Emirate paramount ruler, the Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustafa; FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello; Secretary to the Adamawa State Government (SSG), Malam Bashiru Ahmad, among other dignitaries.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who is outside the country, sent his condolences via his Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou.
In the message by Wonosikou, Fintiri said: “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.
“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.”
Everyone will miss him — Dr. Fawibe
However, reacting to his death, the Chairman, International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe, has described the death of the outgoing Secretary General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, His Excellency Mohammed Barkindo as shocking.
He said the Nigerian oil and gas industry, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Limited, the international petroleum industry and indeed OPEC would miss him.
According to him, every Nigerian, who happen to have known the politics of the international petroleum industry and indeed OPEC, would commend him.
He said despite many challenges, Dr. Barkindo was able to stabilize OPEC and protect it from international politics, particularly after the outbreak of the Ukraine and Russia war.
Specifically, in an interview with The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, Dr. Fawibe, a close associate of Dr. Barkindo, who condoled with the family, said: “The sudden and untimely death of the outgoing Secretary General of OPEC, His Excellency Mohammed Barkindo came to everyone as a shock. It was totally unexpected and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, the NNPC, the International Petroleum Industry and indeed OPEC would miss this international technocrat.
“The comments and commendation of President Mohammadu Buhari captioned the essence of this industrious son that he was a worthy ambassador of Nigeria to OPEC and to the international petroleum industry. Every Nigerian, who happen to have known the politics of the international petroleum industry and indeed OPEC, would commend this astute international technocrat.
“Given the politics that surround OPEC and the international petroleum industry, he was able to stabilize OPEC and protect OPEC from international politics, particularly in recent years after the outbreak of the Ukraine and Russia war.
“The Nigerian petroleum industry and Nigeria as a country would miss this great man, especially at the time Nigeria started benefiting from the works of the reservoir of knowledge that he has gathered at OPEC we lost him.
“I condole with his family, President Muhammad Buhari, the NNPC, Nigerian petroleum industry, and indeed OPEC, where he has spent the last six years as the Head of Affairs of that organization. It should be noted that he was third OPEC Secretary from Nigeria, after the late Chief Meshack Feyide and Dr. Rilwanu Lukman. May Almighty God comfort his family and all those that he touched their lives in positive ways.
Similarly, the Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, said: “We lost our esteemed Dr. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11 pm yesterday, July 5, 2022. Certainly, a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC and the global energy community.”
Dr. Barkindo was loved at OPEC
In its statement obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, OPEC, stated: “It is with immense sorrow and sadness that the OPEC Secretariat learnt of the passing of the OPEC Secretary General, His Excellency, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, in his home country of Nigeria. He was the much-loved leader of the OPEC Secretariat and his passing is a profound loss to the entire OPEC family, the oil industry and the international community.
“OPEC extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, loved ones and his home country, Nigeria. It is a day in which words are not enough, but it is also important to express our deep gratitude for the over 40 years of selfless service that HE Barkindo gave to OPEC. His dedication and leadership will inspire OPEC for many years and decades to come.
“Throughout HE Barkindo’s long career, there have been several central themes that have driven him: an infectious passion for the petroleum industry; an unwavering belief in oil’s poverty eradicating potential; a steadfast commitment to sustainable development; the importance of dialogue and multilateralism; and, most fundamentally of all, treating everyone with respect and kindness.
“As OPEC Secretary General, a position he assumed on August 1, 2016, HE Barkindo was a visionary leader and an eloquent communicator who played key role in forming the historic Declaration of Cooperation at the end of 2016. He served the Organization with great distinction and helped it successfully navigate through two major industry downturns (2015-2016 and 2020-2021), was instrumental in the setting up of the Charter of Cooperation (CoC), and was a consummate diplomat in further advancing dialogue and cooperation with a variety of industry stakeholders.’
“Despite the attainment of so many heights in his career, HE Barkindo remained a selfless man of great humility and decency; treating everyone, irrespective of rank or office, with dignity and courtesy. A trailblazer widely admired and respected throughout the globe. A dear friend to many.
“To those who were fortunate enough to know and work alongside him, they will miss his warmth, kindness and sense of humour. His example of dedication and duty will inspire future leaders in the industry.
“To the last, he was always true to his respectful nature, always there to listen, offer guidance and show leadership; a genuine OPEC icon. His last words to friends were that he was happy to have concluded his tenure as Secretary General, he had served the best he could, and that he was proud of those who had served with him.
“HE Barkindo elevated the Organization’s position and role as an active and responsible partner in the oil industry and international community through both his deeds and words. Given his scholarly nature, and the fact that his speeches regularly used quotes to emphasize points and opinions, it is perhaps apt to leave the final word to one of Barkindo’s favourite scribes, the famous poet, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi.
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”
It’s a great loss
However, the Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, said: “We lost our esteemed Dr. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11 pm yesterday, July 5, 2022. Certainly, a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC and the global energy community.”
