* As Body Arrives from Dubai Today
Stakeholders in the Nigerian energy sector have continued to bear their minds and reflections on the life and times of the departted former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Alhaji
Sheu Ladan, whose body arrives Nigeria from Dubai, United Arab Emirates this Thursday.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke on Wednesday paid tribute to the departed ex-Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Malam Shehu Ladan, who she described as a dedicated public servant.
Ladan, 59, died on Tuesday night in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, after a brief ailment. The body is due to arrive the country on Thursday for interment in Zaria in accordance with Islamic rites.
Expressing sadness at the demise of the former NNPC helmsman who also holds the traditional title of Cigarin-Zazzau in the Zazzau Emirate Council of Kaduna state, Mrs. Alison-Madueke stated that the death of Ladan is not only a great loss to the oil and gas industry but to the People of Kaduna State and the entire nation whom the late legal luminary has served in various capacity.
“We are going to miss him in so many ways from his great sense of humour, resourcefulness and lots more. May his soul rest in peace,’’ the Minister intoned.
Speaking after the signing of a condolence register opened at the NNPC Towers, Abuja in honour of the late Ladan, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr. Austen Oniwon eulogised the departed Cigarin-Zazzau as a committed colleague, administrator and public spirited individual who did everything possible to improve the lot of the oil and gas industry and humanity at large.
“Shehu Ladan was a good man; he bore no grudges against anybody and was always ready at all times to make things work. I pray that Almighty God gives the family and the oil and gas industry the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,’’ Oniwon said.
Born on September 21, 1952, Ladan had a stint as GMD of NNPC from April 6-May 18, 2010.
A seasoned legal practitioner, Ladan had an accomplished career in the NNPC which saw him hold key positions at various times including: Group Executive Director (GED) Commercial and Investment, GED Corporate Services, Group General Manager, Human Resources, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Gas Company and Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, (NLNG).
He also worked as the Manager Admin and Personnel, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, a subsidiary of the NNPC. Ladan was also Executive Director Services, Nigeria Engineering and Technical Company Limited, NETCO.
Before joining the NNPC, the late Ladan served as Staff Solicitor of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. He was also Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Kaduna State Rural Electrification Board (REB) and Assistant Director, Federal Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Jos. He was appointed to the Kaduna State Executive Council in 1987 as Commissioner for Education and was made Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in 1989.
It is on record that during his tenure as Commissioner for Education in Kaduna State, he helped found the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria (formerly Kaduna State Polytechnic).
He also sponsored research and publications and indigent students from all parts of Kaduna Sate to the institution.
In recognition of his public spirited works propelled by an undying attitude to serve humanity, Ladan Shehu was turbaned the Cigarin-Zazzau, meaning the Conqueror of Zaria, historically referred to as Zazzau in present day Zazzau Emirate Council of Kaduna State.
Already top oil and gas industry stakeholders are streaming into the Corporate Headquarters of the NNPC to commiserate with the Corporation and sign the condolence register.
Some early callers include, Mike Ward, Managing Director of ExxonMobil and the Managing Director of Total E&P Guy Maurice.