Tinubu Mourns Former Gongola Governor Bamanga Tukur
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed grief over 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.
In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Tukur’s death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
The President hailed the late Tafidan Adamawa as a towering figure whose career spanned public administration, governance, business, politics and pan-African economic leadership.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur gained national prominence as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, where he contributed to the modernisation of port operations and the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He later ventured into politics during the Second Republic and was elected Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, a territory that was subsequently divided into Adamawa and Taraba states.
Tukur also made significant contributions to the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
He served as Federal Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
On the continental stage, the former governor championed Africa’s economic development as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, advocating increased intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
He also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014.
Tinubu said Tukur made notable contributions to Nigeria’s democracy through his efforts to promote party discipline and consensus-building.
“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear,” Tinubu said.
“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 extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State, as well as the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
Tinubu prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family and all those mourning his death.
