Outgoing Secretary General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Muhammad Barkindo, has been buried in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
Barkindo, who died Tuesday night in Abuja, was buried at Damare Cemetery in Yola.
The corpse airlifted from Abuja was received by friends and family members at Yola International Airport around 12.30 pm on Wednesday amid tears.
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Funeral prayer was performed at the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque located at the Palace of Lamido Adamawa at 4pm with dignitaries from Nigeria and Cameroon in attendance.
Dignitaries that attended the Janaza prayer include the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of Transport, Muazu Sambo, Secretary to Adamawa State Government, Bashiru Ahmad and Lamido Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha.
Younger brother of the deceased, Abduljalal Barkindo told Daily Trust that the deceased left behind two wives, a son, an aged mother and eight siblings.
He described Barkindo’s demise as shocking and a great loss to the entire family, Adamawa people and Nigerians, saying the family had lost its pillar.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, said he received the news with sadness, saying Adamawa had lost its proud son.
This was contained in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou on Wednesday.
Extending his condolence on behalf of the people of Adamawa, Fintiri described the six years Barkindo spent at OPEC as glorious, praying that Almighty Allah grant him paradise.
He said, “I received news of the passing of Muhammadu Barkindo with sadness, the late Barkindo will be remembered as a respected son of Adamawa and OPEC family. His demise is a sad day for me and the people of Adamawa and Nigeria.”
