President Goodluck Jonathan and other
eminent Nigerians have mourned the death
of the former minister of petroleum
resources and one-time secretary general
of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), Dr Rilwanu Lukman.
The late Lukman, who held several
ministerial positions, including minister of
mines, power and steel and foreign affairs
and other non-ministerial positions, died
yesterday morning a month to his 76th
birthday after an undisclosed protracted
illness in faraway Vienna, Austria.
A family relation, who simply identified
himself as Adamu, confirmed his demise to
our correspondent at his Kaduna residence,
and disclosed that the remains of the
deceased were scheduled to arrive in
Kaduna today for burial at his Zaria
hometown according to Islamic rites.
President Goodluck Jonathan noted
yesterday that it was with sadness and a
feeling of great national loss that he
received news of the death of Rilwanu
Lukman whom he said the country owed a
huge debt of gratitude.
Jonathan spoke through a statement by his
spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati.
Senate President David Mark described
Lukman’s death as a huge loss to Nigeria.
In a press statement issued by his chief
press secretary, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark
noted that Lukman was one of few
Africans who left positive footprints on the
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has
described the late Lukman as the best oil
minister Nigeria has ever had.
Atiku, in a statement by his media office
in Abuja yesterday said, “I will describe
Rilwanu Lukman as the best oil minister we
ever had given his unmatched knowledge of
the industry and the integrity with which
he ran the ministry.
Lukman Was A Rare Gem
– Nda-Isaiah
Presidential aspirant on the platform of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sam
Nda-Isaiah has described late Rilwanu
Lukman as a rare gem, having worked with
five different Nigerian Presidents.
Nda-Isaiah, in a statement by the
director, media and publicity, Sam4Nigeria
Campaign Organisation, Macaulay
Hunohashi, condoled with the family, the
nation, and the people of Kaduna State
over his death.
The World Will Miss Lukman – Gov Yero
Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Yero has
described the demise of Lukman as a great
loss not only to Kaduna State and Nigeria
but a loss to the entire world.
The governor in a statement signed by his
spokesman, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the
world will miss his wealth of experience in
the energy sector, adding that his passing
at this critical point will definitely create a
huge vacuum difficult to be filled.
Lukman was a Quintessential Public Officer
– Amosun
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has
mourned the death of Lukman, describing
him as a quintessential public servant.
Amosun, in a statement yesterday by his
senior special assistant on media, Mrs.
Olufunmilayo Wakama, hailed Lukman’s
contribution to the oil industry globally,
adding that “OPEC’s history cannot be
written without our own Dr. Rilwanu
Lukman.”

RIP to the deceased. However, as a point of correction, it should be noted that bring the deceased all the back home is not part of Islamic right. He should be buried where he died.