As Shocked Nigerians Grapple with Barkindo’s Sudden Death, Tributes Pour from Global Oil Players

By Damola Emmanuel

It was few weeks to the expiration of his six-year tenure as the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. And like any worthy worker looking ahead with great expectations to his exit after meritorious service, Dr. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, distinguished technocrat, and a respected player in the global petroleum industry, had returned to Nigeria from Vienna, Austria, his base, with great enthusiasm.

Top among his itinerary was to participate in the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference, pay a courtesy/thank-you visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, then head to Yola, Adamawa State for the Eid celebration.

He participated in the conference and was hosted by the President on Tuesday as planned, but time froze forever for Barkindo, Tuesday night, as he died suddenly. He never made it to Yola alive. He was buried in the Adamawa State capital yesterday. So, was his dream to be inducted into the Atlantic Council as a distinguished fellow in the Global Energy Centre after the conclusion of his term at OPEC on July 31. So, sadly too, was the post-OPEC life he so much anticipated would never materiallise. Barkindo slept at just 63.

Though there is yet to be an official announcement as to the cause of death, there were reports that the OPEC Chief suddenly took ill Tuesday night and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Although there is a gradual resurgence of COVID-19 worldwide, medical experts ruled out possible corona virus infection since he must have been screened and certified COVID-19 free before he met the President, in sync with Aso Rock Villa protocols. Which is why the experts are suspecting cardiovascular disease(s), or organ failure, or related ailments on account of the big size of the deceased.

Barkindo’s sudden death has sent shock waves to Nigerians across the country, majority of whom have been wondering what manner of death. To them, and indeed, to many who saw him at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and the presidential reception at the Villa, death never in the radar of the distinguished Nigeria-born oil diplomat. They never knew the grim reaper was just around the corner.

The lot fell on Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, to wake Nigerians to the horrifying news of Barkindo’s passing. He told a bewildered nation that the OPEC Chief passed on at about 11p.m. on Tuesday.

However, as the nation struggles to grapple with the grim reality of Barkindo’s death, tributes have been pouring in torrents from home and across the globe.

Ironically, President Buhari, who gave Barkindo his last honour, was among the first world dignitaries to pay tribute to the lofty memories of the Nigerian-born OPC Chief.

In his condolence message, the President said he was deeply saddened by  the sudden demise of Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, a “remarkable gentleman and enormous national asset”, who, he said, from his youthful days, worked meritoriously in the service of the nation in various national and international capacities, and never stopped being a beacon of light to the country he loved until his last breath.

Buhari, in the message, affirmed Barkindo’s undeniable brilliance and legacies as a dedicated public servant, expatiating that his qualities would remain a reference point in the oil and gas industry, international development and the environment sector.

Buhair recalled that Barkindo’s profound decency and expression greatly endeared him to Nigerians and other nationals who came in direct contact with him as a young Principal Administrative Officer with the Nigeria Mining Corporation; Special Assistant to the Minister of Mines, Power and Steel as well as Minister of Petroleum Resources; and later in his 24 years of service in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Nigerian Delegate to OPEC Ministerial Conferences; Nigeria’s Governor for OPEC; and leader of Nigeria’s technical delegations to the climate change negotiations since inception in 1991 that produced the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC.

As he conveyed his deepest condolences to the Barkindo family, colleagues at OPEC, as well as the government and people of Adamawa State, President Buhari saluted Barkindo’s leadership at OPEC, including during very turbulent times in 2016 and 2020, noting that the Declaration of Cooperation birthed under his watch helped strengthen and consolidate OPEC/non-OPEC cooperation and dialogue.

Buhari prayed God almighty to repose Barkindo’s soul and comfort to all who mourn.

In a statement, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, eulogized Barkindo’s exemplary  leadership qualities, asserting that pragmatic approach and hard work at the critical stage of global energy crisis brought stability to the volatile oil market.

Describing the deceased as a pride for Nigeria and Africa, Lawan further eulogised:

“The news of the tragic death of OPEC Secretary-General, Mohammed Barkindo, came to me as a rude shock. Barkindo’s exemplary leadership at the global oil cartel brought stability to the ever volatile oil market.

“The world will remember him for how he was able to rally both the OPEC and non-OPEC members together to save the energy market. The world will miss him and particularly the global energy community.”

In its condolence message to President Muhammadu Buhari, the  Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, described the death of Barkindo as a huge loss to his family, Nigeria, Africa, the OPEC family, the global oil and gas industry and the President of Nigeria, who he publicly acknowledged as a great source of inspiration, guidance and wisdom.

A release issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the Brazzaville-based Organisation wrote:

‘‘As Secretary-General of OPEC and a key driver of the OPEC+ alliance, Barkindo’s contribution to the stabilisation of the global oil industry from 2016 and especially during COVID-19 will always be remembered.

‘‘Barkindo succeeded in raising the profile of OPEC as stabiliser of the global energy market at the most volatile periods in the Organisation’s history.”

The APPO scribe, according to Adesina, prayed Almighty God to grant the Barkindo family, loved ones and the President the fortitude to bear the huge loss of the great ambassador of Nigeria to the global energy community.

Similarly, the NNPC, African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA), and other stakeholders in the energy sector have been mourning Barkindo’s sudden departure.

While Mr. Mele Kyari described his predecessor’s departure as a great loss to his immediate family, NNPC, Nigeria, OPEC and the global energy community, the Executive Secretary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA), led by its Executive Secretary, Anibor Kragha, described Barkindo as a global energy icon, whose magnificent legacy would never be forgotten.

“He worked assiduously to strengthen the worldwide energy markets at a critical time and successfully ensured stability of the global economy, even during the unprecedented turmoil of the COVID pandemic and other shocks,” Kragha said, who added that they both served in the top management at NNPC at different times.

Describing Barkindo as a global energy icon, whose magnificent legacy would never be forgotten, Kragha noted that Barkindo would be remembered as a global energy icon, who worked assiduously to strengthen the worldwide energy markets at a critical time and successfully ensured stability of the global economy, even during the unprecedented turmoil of the COVID pandemic and other shocks.

While Chief Chinedu Okoronkwo, President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), maintained that Barkindo distinguished himself as a global energy leader, the African Energy Chamber (AEC), on its part, condoled with the family of the oil industry veteran., saying he fought for the right to develop.

“While words cannot express the tragedy of this loss, the legacy left behind by H.E. Barkindo will be remembered by the global energy community for years to come,” AEC said.

“In Africa, he will always be remembered as a patriot, an instrumental figure who fought for the continent’s right to develop our oil and gas,” the body added.