Gov. Bala Mohammad of Bauchi State has condoled the people of the state over the death of former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Baru died late Friday night in Abuja and had since been buried according to Islamic rites.
The governor’s condolence message was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, Mr. Muktar Gidado, in Bauchi on Saturday.
He described Baru’s demise as a great loss, not only to Bauchi state and Nigeria, but the world at large.
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“The entire people of Bauchi expressed shock over the death of Baru.
“He was a great and patriotic son of Bauchi State, who contributed immensely in exploring oil in the North-East zone of Nigeria.
“We will never forget his landmarks in building and renovation of schools in some parts of the state, in addition to the many empowerment programmes and projects he initiated,” he said.
Mohammed further stressed that the late NNPC boss was instrumental to the reforms that helped in making the oil sector in Nigeria more viable, particularly in ending the long queues hitherto, occasioned by fuel scarcity in the country.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Bauchi state, I commiserate with Baru’s family and Nigeria for his demise. I pray for the repose of his soul and the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the governor added.
NAN