Buhari appoints seven new ministers and demands dedication from them

President Muhammadu Buhari swore in seven new ministers on Wednesday, only months before the 2023 general elections.

The Senate‘s confirmation of the nominations was followed by the swearing-in.

The new ministers were appointed to replace those who resigned to run in last month’s party primaries, and they took the oath of office just before the Federal Executive Council meeting began.

The President charged the newly appointed ministers to perform their tasks with dedication and sincerity.

The new ministers are Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub (Kano), Ademola Adegoroye (Ondo), Henry Ikoh (Abia), Umana Okon Umana (Akwa-Ibom), Udi Odum (Rivers), Goodluck Nana Opiah (Imo), and Ekumankama Nkama (Ebonyi).

In memory of OPEC’s departing Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo, who passed away on Tuesday night, a moment of silence was observed.

According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mohammad Barkindo, the outgoing secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has passed away.

He was 63 when he passed away, on April 20, 1959.

“We lost our esteemed Dr Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11PM yesterday 5th July 2022″, according to a message posted Wednesday morning on Mele Kyari’s verified Twitter account.

“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”.

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.

— Mele Kyari (@MKKyari) July 6, 2022

As of the time, this report was submitted, Mr Barkindo’s death’s circumstances were unknown. He only recently informed President Muhammadu Buhari that his six-year term as OPEC‘s scribe was coming to an end during a meeting.

Mr Buhari praised him for serving as a deserving representative of the nation at that function.

The President even instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to mobilize the oil and gas industry to plan a suitable homecoming reception in his honour when he finally returns home.

In a statement made after the visit, Mr Barkindo hailed President Buhari’s remarkable leadership, charisma, and international gravitas, as well as the Vienna-based OPEC secretariat’s assistance and the organization’s members’ collaboration, for his success.

Along with his visit to Aso Rock, Mr Barkindo spoke at the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Barkindo, a former managing director of the NNPC, was appointed secretary-general of OPEC in 2016. He was the 28th person overall and the fourth Nigerian to occupy that rank.

He served as the NNPC’s GMD from 2009 to 2010.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lauded Mr Barkindo as a man who “left indelible marks in his service to our nation and OPEC” in one of the early tributes.

“He was indeed a worthy ambassador of Nigeria. He died in active service, having delivered a speech at the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja and held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari hours before passing.

“He was my very good friend, and he will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and friends, management and staff of NNPC and OPEC. I pray that Allah forgives his sins and grants him Aljannah Firdaus.”.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
I am saddened by the passing away of the Wali of Adamawa, Secretary-General of @OPECSecretariat, and former GMD @NNPCgroup, Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. Barkindo left indelible marks in his service to our nation and OPEC. pic.twitter.com/nJHZvAF18G

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

• 
  National

  CBN lists conditions young Nigerians must meet to access N75 billion Youth Investment Fund
• 
  World News

  Armenia commemorates the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
• 
  Local

  Students, Teachers Abducted at Kebbi College have been rescued

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) July 6, 2022