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President Bola Tinubu has described the death of former Governor of the old Gongola State, Bamanga Tukur, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa and elder statesman, died on Saturday at the age of 90.
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the deceased left an enduring imprint across public administration, politics, industry, business and continental economic development.
The President particularly recalled Tukur’s role in transforming Nigeria’s maritime sector during his tenure as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982.
His public service career later took him into frontline politics, culminating in his election as Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, which comprised present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.
Tukur subsequently moved into the private sector, where he chaired BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
He also served as Federal Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
Beyond Nigeria, Tukur emerged as a prominent voice for Africa’s economic integration, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
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In those roles, he championed intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
His political career also took him to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, where he served as National Chairman from March 2012 to January 2014.
Tinubu said Tukur made significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development during his tenure as PDP chairman through his emphasis on 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 Adamawa State Government and people, as well as the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
Tinubu prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family and all those mourning his death.
