Few hours after he was received by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja, the 4th Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo, is dead.
Barkindo reportedly died at about 11pm on Tuesday, at the age of 63.
The Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mela Kyari, made this announcement in the wee hours of Wednesday via his verified Twitter handle @MKkyari.
“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,” the tweet, which was posted at 4:32am on Wednesday, read.
Kyari did not however provide details on the circumstances of Barkindo ‘s death.
Buhari, had in the short reception held for Barkindo at the State House, Abuja described him as a worthy ambassador of the country.
The President had also said posterity will remember him kindly for making the nation and himself proud during his six years of meritorious service at OPEC.
He had 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 honour of Barkindo.
