— He was an extra-ordinary public servant – Mark
By Moh Bello Habib, Zaria, and Ezrel Tabiowo, Abuja
A former Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Rilwanu Lukman, has passed on. He died in Vienna, Austria, in the early hours of yesterday after a protracted illness.
Aged 76, the former Minister of Petroleum is survived a wife, Hajiya Aminu Rilwanu Lukman, and three children.
A family source in his home town, Zaria City, in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state, said that the news of the deceased’s death came in the early hours of the day.
Blueprint gathered from the family that his remains would be committed to mother earth “as soon as it arrives in the country.”
Our correspondent reports that the late Lukman was the secretary-general of OPEC between 1995 and 2000.
He was appointed the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum by the late President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2000 to 2008.
In a reaction, President of the Senate, David Mark, has described as “a huge loss to Nigeria” the death of former Petroleum Minister and erstwhile Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Rilwanu Lukman.
Reacting to the demise of the elder statesman in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, yesterday in Abuja, Mark noted that Lukman was one of few Africans who left their positive foot prints on the global stage.
Mark said: “As a public servant, he was extra-ordinary. His excellent performance as the then Petroleum minister earned him a higher responsibility to become OPEC secretary General.
“As OPEC Secretary General, Lukman demonstrated competence, excellence and high sense of wisdom before the international community and indeed raised the reputation of Nigeria as a strategic and important global player especially in the oil and gas sector.
“Lukman unarguably left a positive foot print on the sands of time. No doubt, the nation owes him a great deal of gratitude.”
Mark recalled the exploits of Lukman as then member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) when he brought his wealth of experience to bear in the administration of Nigeria, especially during trying times.
“Nigeria has lost one of her brightest and fertile minds. He was a man of honour and integrity. We shall miss his deep sense of wisdom and knowledge.”
Mark stated that Lukman would definitely occupy a prominent chapter in the socio-economic and political history of the country.
