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 statement issued by the State House, President Tinubu described Tukur’s death as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history, noting his contributions to 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.
He later ventured into politics during the Second Republic and was elected Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, an area that now comprises Adamawa and Taraba States.
Tukur subsequently 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 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 for his advocacy of Africa’s economic development. He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, promoting 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 described the late elder statesman as “urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service,” adding that he was a man of “big ideas and bold enterprise” who believed in Nigeria’s potential.
The President expressed 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 would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family and all those mourning his death.
