The Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mele Kyari, has mourned the death of the pioneer Managing Director of the petroleum corporation, Festus Marinho.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Marinho was the first and only MD of the defunct Nigerian National Oil Corporation, NNOC, who served twice: between 1977 and 1979 and between 1984 and 1985.
In a condolence message to the family on Wednesday, Mr Kyari described Mr Marinho as “the Father of Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria”.
Mr Kyari hailed the pioneering roles he played in the crafting of the institutional framework, infrastructural development and international best practices being used in the Corporation till date.
“His role in refinery and pipeline construction and human capacity development are all testimonies of his contribution to national development,” he noted.
The GMD said Marinho’s visionary leadership provided the foundation for what has come to be known as “Nigerian content”.
He added that his achievements would be a beacon and inspiration for many future generations of staff and leaders.
According to him, the deceased was a rare gem “and we will surely miss his wisdom and wealth of experience”.
