By Augustine Ehikioya
In a condolence mood, the Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), has visited the families of the former Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, late Dr Muhammadu Sanusi Barkindo, Walin Adamawa and the Lamido of Adamawa.
The former OPEC Secretary-General died at about 11:00pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, in Abuja at the age of 63, and has since been buried according to Islamic injunctions.
While in Yola, Adamawa State, General Buratai also paid a condolence visit to the Palace of the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, over the passing away of Walin Adamawa.
During the visits, Security Watch Africa (SWA) gathered that General Buratai paid eloquent tribute to the late Barkindo.
“Today, Sunday, 10 July 2022, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), was in Yola, Adamawa State, where he paid a condolence visit to the families of the former Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, late Dr Muhammadu Sanusi Barkindo, Walin Adamawa and the Lamido of Adamawa.
“On arrival in Yola, Ambassador Buratai went to the residence of the late Dr Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Walin Adamawa, where he sympathised with his elder brother Alhaji Hamidu Muhammad Jada, wife, son and relatives. Afterwards, he proceeded to the family house, where he sympathised with the late Barkindo’s aged mother Hajiya Saadatu Barkindo.
“Lt Gen Buratai (rtd) then went to the palace of the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa and condoled him over the passing away of Walin Adamawa.
“In all the places he paid his condolences, General Buratai paid eloquent tribute to the late Barkindo, whom he described as a friend and patriot that served Nigeria and the international community meritoriously in different positions and left behind indelible marks.”
According to him, the death of the late Walin Adamawa was a significant loss not just to the family and the nation but to the international community too.
He conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family as well as the government and people of Adamawa State over the “huge loss”, praying Almighty Allah to grant the deceased aljannah Firdausi.
Special prayers were also said for the late Walin Adamawa, praying Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah Firdausi.
Ambassador Tukur Buratai, was accompanied on the condolence visits by his friend and former Director at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Dr Manzo Ahmed, a former Director of Army Public Relations Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka (rtd) and Alhassan Sultan.