*Hails Buhari, NASS for PIB passage …Greets Nigeria at 50 as OPEC member
-By Saidu Abubakar
Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, OPEC Secretary-General has, in a Goodwill Message at the 4th Valuechain Annual Lecture and Awards, Monday in Abuja said that the 4th Annual Lecture and Awards is an extremely timely event, not only due to the positive changes evolving in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, “but also given that today – July the 12th, 2021 – is the 50th Anniversary of Nigeria joining OPEC. This was a seminal moment for our great country and for OPEC”.
He said “the theme of our conference today ‘Enhancing Effective Synergy between Oil and Gas, and Maritime Sectors for Greater Value Creation’ also underscores the importance of working together, building bridges between various sectors, and implementing reforms to bring about positive changes and create value.”
The OPEC chief who spoke virtually, also nited that this has been the trademark of President Buhari since he assumed office, with his government rising to the many challenges it has faced, most evidently during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recession.
By deploying remarkable executive skills, acumen, wisdom and great prudence by diverting resources to the most productive sectors of the economy, “the government has been able to revive growth. Nigeria speedily exited recession and returned to the path of sustainable growth.
“Africa’s largest producing country, at the heart of the continent, joining OPEC Member-Countries as we embarked on this historic journey. It is a momentous day, a transformative date: a golden anniversary for Nigeria and OPEC, and an opportunity to reflect on the shared history and values.
“Over the last five decades”, Barkindo continued, “the unique relationship between OPEC and Nigeria has had a multitude of positive accomplishments. It has at times been a rollercoaster journey, with various market cycles being navigated through, and unexpected events, such as macroeconomic uncertainty, natural catastrophes, geopolitics, technological innovations and especially in 2020/21, global health pandemics, threatening to throw the world of oil and OPEC off course.”
According to Barkindo whose virtual message was occasioned with complete silence in the hall, “on behalf of OPEC, I would like to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and his able Minister, Timipre Sylva on this historic milestone. The 9th National Assembly (NASS) has engraved itself in gold by passing this transformative legislation – the PIB.
“Ladies and gentlemen, It has been a great pleasure, and honour, to address you today. I would like to thank the organizers (Valuechain Magazine) for convening this event at such a challenging time, and I very much hope we can join together again face-to-face very soon. I wish you every success today. Thank you”, Barkindo enthused.
The message was acknowledged with a loud applause by everybody in the hall, to the admiration of Valuechain team members.