From AMEDU JOSEPH & DANMALE ABDULMUMIN, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo have mourned the death of former Governor of the old Gongola State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur.
Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, died on Saturday at the age of 90.
Tinubu described his death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history, saying his career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President recalled Tukur’s service as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 1975 to 1982, where he helped modernise port operations and contributed to the development of the maritime sector.
Tukur later entered politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. He subsequently served as Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 and held leadership positions in the private sector.
Tinubu also highlighted Tukur’s work in promoting African economic development as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, where he advocated intra-African trade, private sector growth and sustainable development.
He recalled that Tukur served as national chairman of the PDP from March 2012 to January 2014, describing his contributions to party discipline and consensus-building as significant to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He extended his condolences to the Fombina Emirate and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
Ododo, in a separate condolence message, described Tukur’s death as a loss to Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country still relies on the experience and wisdom of leaders who contributed to its political and socio-economic development.
The governor said Tukur’s decades of public service, business and political involvement placed him among the generation of leaders who contributed to Nigeria’s political development.
Both leaders expressed condolences to Tukur’s family, the government and people of Adamawa State, and his associates and friends.