The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the death of the Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, saying Nigeria has lost “an illustrious son”.

The Star had reported that Barkindo died on Tuesday night at the age of 63.

Tinubu, in a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, noted that the sudden death of Barkindo at a time the country was preparing to celebrate his monumental achievements in OPEC ahead of the end of his second tenure in July was heartbreaking.

“Nigeria just lost an illustrious son and an outstanding professional in the global oil industry.

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“Dr. Mohammed Barkindo represented our country well in the last six years as Secretary-General of OPEC. His term in OPEC brought stability to the global oil industry. He was a positive influence in mobilising consensus in dealing with global energy crisis.

“His death at the height of his glory is heartbreaking and a great loss to our country, the international community, his family and friends.

“My heartfelt condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari who nominated him to represent our country in OPEC, his immediate family, the government and people of Adamawa State especially Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

“I pray to Almighty Allah to comfort the Barkindo family and all the people he left behind. May Munificent Allah grant Dr. Barkindo Aljanna Firdaus,” Tinubu stated.

The Star