By Folayimika Akanbi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the passing of the former Governor of Old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
He identified the deceased, who was the Tafidan Adamawa, as a towering figure whose distinguished career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.
Tinubu said this in a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and made available to Journalists on Saturday.
The statement was titled “President Tinubu mourns elder statesman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.”
Wind Gate News reports that Tukur, an influential business mogul, died at the age of 90.
The President, in the statement recalled that Tukur modernised port operations and improved Nigeria’s maritime sector during his tenure as General Manager of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mourns the passing of elder statesman, renowned businessman, and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, who died at age 90.
“President Tinubu describes the passing of Alhaji Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
“The President says Alhaji Tukur was a towering figure whose distinguished career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.
“President Tinubu recalls Tukur’s colourful foray into politics during the Second Republic, which led to his election as Governor of the old Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba States) in 1983.
“The deceased subsequently distinguished himself in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, conglomerates with interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading, and served as Federal Minister of Industries under the administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.
“On the continental stage, Alhaji Tukur was an eloquent champion of Africa’s economic renaissance. As Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, he was a relentless advocate for intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
“Tukur was the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014, during which President Tinubu recalls Tukur’s sterling contributions to democracy through enforcing party discipline and building consensus.
“President Tinubu remarks: “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.”
“The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the Tukur family, to the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Government and people of Adamawa State, and to the entire political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
“President Tinubu prays that Almighty Allah will forgive Alhaji Tukur’s shortcomings, grant his soul Aljannah Firdaus, and comfort all who mourn this irreparable loss”, the statement read in part.
Tukur was born on September 15, 1935 and rose to national prominence during which he served public offices in different capacities.
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