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.
In a condolence message issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the death of the Tafidan Adamawa as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
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The President said Tukur 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 from 1975 to 1982, where he contributed to the modernisation of port operations and the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Tinubu also recalled Tukur’s political career during the Second Republic, which culminated in his election as Governor of the old Gongola State, now comprising Adamawa and Taraba States, in 1983.
The former governor later made significant contributions to the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
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He also served as Federal Minister of Industries under the administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.
At the continental level, Tukur was a prominent advocate of Africa’s economic renaissance. As Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, he championed intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
Tukur also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party from March 2012 to January 2014. President Tinubu acknowledged his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, particularly his efforts to promote party discipline and consensus-building.
The President described the deceased as “urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service” cherished by the Adamawa Emirate and Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, Tukur was “a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential,” adding that the country would sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance.
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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.
President Tinubu prayed that Almighty Allah forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family and all those mourning his death.