Former GMD Baru
FeaturedOil & Gas

Revealed: Ex-NNPC GMD, Baru, died of COVID-19

2.2k

 

The late Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Kachalla Baru, may have died of COVID-19, Persecondnews has learnt.

 

The 60-year-old immediate past GMD, who reportedly died on Friday night during a “brief and undisclosed illness’’, had actually tested positive for Coronavirus.

Grief-stricken Group Managing Director of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari had on Saturday morning announced Baro’s death in a tweet.

He said on his Twitter handle: “My brother, my friend and my mentor, Dr Maikanti Kachalla Baru, immediate past GMD of NNPC died late last night. He was of exemplary character and disposition. May Allah forgive him and have mercy upon him.”

However, a source close to the family said Baru had been feeling unwell for some time and had to do COVID-19 test twice with the results showing negative on the two occasions.

He said when his condition worsened some days ago he had to do another test which turned out to be coronavirus positive.

 

Baru, PMB and Kyari at the Villa

“He has been feeling sick for a while and he did test twice … both came out negative. But when his condition deteriorated a couple of days ago, he did another test which returned positive.

“Baru unfortunately died some hours before the result of the test came out,’’ the source told Persecondnews.

Born in 1959, Baro had a wonderful career in engineering and rose  through the ranks at the NNPC before he was eventually appointed the GMD.

President Muhammadu Buhari, however, replaced him with Kyari in July 2015.

Persecondnews reports that Buhari, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of House of Representatives,Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, governors, and well-meaning Nigerians have expressed their condolences to the family and the NNPC.

NNPC had in a official statement by its spokesperson, Dr Kennie Obateru, expressed regrets over the sudden death of its former helmsman, describing him as “a consummate mechanical engineer.’’

Leave a comment

Related Articles

NNPCL’s New GCEO, Ojulari, Unveils Visionary Plans for Energy Transformation, Growth

Mr. Bashir Ojulari, the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of the...

Strategic Partnerships Key to Achieving Presidential Mandate, Says NNPCL GCEO

Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah The newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC...

US set to strengthen energy ties with Nigeria, says NNPCL Spokesman, Soneye

The United States and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in...

Trump’s Tariff Policies Spark Oil Market Volatility, Threaten Nigeria’s Economy – NMDPRA Boss

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory...

NNPCL announces new eight-member management team

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has unveiled a new eight-member...

Nigeria to Enforce “Drill or Drop” Policy to Boost Oil Production – Lokpobiri

The Federal Government has announced plans to enforce the “drill or drop”...

NNPC Retail Celebrates Female Mechanics, Advocates Inclusivity in Technical Fields

NNPC Retail Limited (NRL) has successfully hosted She-Fix 2025, a landmark event...

Dangote Refinery Suspends Sale of Petroleum Products in Naira, Cites Dollar-Denominated Crude Costs

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a temporary suspension...

Suspension of Rivers gov, deputy, lawmakers, rape on democracy – Amaechi

Another stakeholder in the politics of Rivers State, ex-Governor and ex-Minister of...

No Explosion at Port Harcourt Refinery, NNPCL Clarifies Incident as Routine Flare

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd)...

NNPC Ltd Woos Global Investors at CERAWeek, Showcases Nigeria as Investors’ Haven

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has urged global investors...

Oil & Gas Investments Will Not Make Africa Net Contributor to Global Emissions – Presidential Adviser Veheijen

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment...

NNPCL Clarifies Naira Crude Contract, Reaffirms Commitment to Domestic Refining

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has strongly denied reports that...

NNPC Ltd Signs Deal to Supply 80mmscf/d of Gas to Ssonic Petroleum Ltd for LNG Facility

NNPC Ltd, through its subsidiary NNPC Gas Marketing Ltd (NGML) and joint...

Nigerian Navy Destroys Three Illegal Refining Sites in Delta State

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos has destroyed three illegal...

Nigeria’s gas flare commercialisation initiative to unlock $2.5bln in new investment – NUPRC boss Komolafe

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that the Nigeria...

NLNG MD Laments Persistent Pipeline Vandalism Amid Gas Supply Challenges

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) is facing significant challenges in...

NIES 2024: NNPC Ltd. Wins Prestigious Award for Best Fully Integrated Energy Company

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has emerged as the...

NNPC Shipping, Stena Bulk, Caverton Launch Groundbreaking Joint Venture to Drive Nigeria, Africa’s Energy, Maritime Industries

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah NNPC Shipping, Stena Bulk, and Caverton Marine Limited...

Nigerian Army Destroys 18 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Army says it has dismantled 18 illegal refineries across the...