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, President Tinubu described the death of Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
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 (NPA) 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 entry into politics during the Second Republic, which culminated in his election as Governor of the old Gongola State, comprising present-day Adamawa and Taraba states, in 1983.
Beyond politics, Tukur distinguished himself in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
He also served as Federal Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.
At the continental level, Tukur was recognised as a strong advocate of Africa’s economic development. As Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, he promoted intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.
Tukur also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014.
President Tinubu acknowledged his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development during his tenure as PDP chairman, particularly in promoting 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. 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,” Tinubu said.
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.
