The pioneer/first group managing director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Festus Marinho is dead.
AMILOADED gathered that he died at age 87 on Tuesday.
Confirming the report, In a condolence message to the family, NNPC MD Mele Kyari described Marinho as “the Father of Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria”.
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”, adding that his achievements would be a beacon and inspiration for many future generations of staff and leaders.
Kyari added that the deceased was a rare gem “and we will surely miss his wisdom and wealth of experience”.
Marinho was the first and only managing director of the defunct Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC), the forerunner of NNPC.
He was born on December 30, 1934 at Ijebu-Ode and attended St. Gregory’s College Obalende, Lagos. He graduated with a bachelor of science (special honours) in physics from the University of London in 1960.
He then proceeded to Imperial College, London for post-graduate studies in petroleum reservoir engineering from 1960 to 1961.
He was also the only one who served twice as GMD of NNPC, having served from 1977-1979 and 1984-1985 respectively.
During his tenure at NNPC, he personally supervised the planning, construction and management of the three major refineries, depots and pipeline network that transverse the breadth of Nigeria.
After his tenure at the corporation, he played further background roles in the oil industry, including serving as alternate chairman of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited and the Bonny Gas Transport Company Ltd.
After his retirement from public service, Marinho bagged traditional chieftaincy titles, professional and religious awards including the papal knighthood of St. Sylvester.
He also served in various capacities in the oil and gas industry, including former chairman of Lekoil Limited.
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