…Kayari says his achievements will be beacon of inspiration for generations
The pioneer and only Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Chief Festus Ayodele Marinho has passed away. Chief Marinho’s death was announced this morning by his family. He was aged 87.
Reacting to the sad news, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, said Marinho’s “achievements will be a beacon of inspiration for many future generations of staff and leaders”.
Chief Festus Marinho, President Buhari and Ex-President Obasanjo at the commissioning of WRPC (Then NNPC Refinery), Warri on 26th September, 1978
A press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC , Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that Chief Marinho was “the first and only Managing Director of the defunct Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) – the forerunner of NNPC – and the only one who served twice as Group Managing Director of NNPC having served from 1977-1979 and 1984-1985 respectively”.
His last appointment was made by President Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State.
In a condolence message to the family of the late NNPC boss, Mallam Kyari described Chief Marinho as “the Father of Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria” because of 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,” Mallam Kyari stated.
The GMD noted that Chief Marinho’s visionary leadership provided the foundation for what has come to be known as “Nigerian content”.
Kyari described the former NNPC helmsman as a rare gem whose wisdom and wealth of experience would be missed.