As Nigeria marks its 50th anniversary of membership since joining the Organization of the Petroleum Export Countries, (OPEC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, the OPEC’s Secretary-General has acknowledged the unique contribution of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari in the successful five decades partnership.
Barkindo said, “President Buhari is the only currently serving Head of State who worked as a head of OPEC delegation earlier in his career from May 1976 to September 1978, having served as Commissioner for Petroleum, NNPC, and Head of Nigeria’s delegation to OPEC”.
The OPEC Secretary-General was reacting to Nigeria’s 50th anniversary in a statement where he also noted that all the OPEC family knows the enormous debt of gratitude owed the president for the pivotal role he played in the historic achievements.
“His inspirational leadership, visionary courage and diplomatic nous instrumental in bringing together OPEC and non-OPEC countries and reaching consensus in recent years, particularly through the adoption of the ‘Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) on 10 December 2016 and the ‘Charter of Cooperation signed on 2 July 2019”, Barkindo declared.
OPEC’s Secretary-General said the unique relationship between the organization and Nigeria has had a multitude of positive effects for both parties while reiterating that both OPEC and Nigeria have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the universal values of international cooperation, dialogue, sustainable development and working towards the common good.
He commended the president for consistently showing impeccable credentials as a bastion of the principles underpinning international relations: respect for all nations, fulfilling one’s responsibilities, transparency and fairness.
Nigeria he said plays a leading and inspirational role on the African continent in oil and gas affairs and cooperation.
Nigeria in Barkindo’s words is consistently regarded as one of the most admired and respected members of the OPEC family, particularly in the realm of consensus-building.
