The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has expressed shock over the death of its outgoing Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo.
OPEC, in its first reaction over the death of Barkindo, said the tragedy came as a shock.
Barkindo died at bout 11 pm on Tuesday hours after a reception held in his honour by the Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.
During the reception, the Nigerian leader had showered encomia on the late OPEC chief, saying the country was proud of his achievements.
“OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, passed away yesterday in his home country 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 wrote Wednesday morning
Saying “this tragedy is a shock to the OPEC community,” the organization said it extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late OPEC chief.
“OPEC extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, loved ones and his home country, Nigeria.
“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.”
Barkindo, before he served as the OPEC chief, was Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
His death is said to have thrown the Nigerian seat of power into shock having hosted him to a reception few hours before his death without any signs of medical complications.
Bloomberg, while reporting Barkindo’s death, said “Barkindo, 63, was in the final weeks of his six-year tenure as the top diplomat at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, where he headed its Vienna-based secretariat. He had returned to Abuja in preparation for a post-OPEC career.”