President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of elder statesman and former Gongola State Governor, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, describing him as a towering figure in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of elder statesman, renowned businessman and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, who died at the age of 90.
The President described the death of Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
Tinubu said the late elder statesman was a towering figure whose distinguished career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur rose to national prominence as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority, serving between 1975 and 1982. He later became Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983 and subsequently served as Minister of Industries.
The President recalled Tukur’s political career during the Second Republic, which led to his election as Governor of the old Gongola State, now divided into Adamawa and Taraba states.
After leaving office, Tukur distinguished himself in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
On the continental stage, he emerged as a prominent advocate for Africa’s economic development through his roles as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
Tukur also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014.
President Tinubu recalled his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and his efforts towards party discipline and consensus-building during his time as PDP national chairman.
“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear.
“He was a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential. Nigeria will sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance,” Tinubu said.
The President extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State, as well as Nigeria’s political and business communities.
Tinubu also prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the late elder statesman’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort all those mourning his death.
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