Tinubu Mourns Bamanga Tukur, Former Gongola Governor Dies at 90

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of elder statesman, businessman and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, who died at the age of 90.

Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, died after a remarkable public career that took him through government, politics, business and continental economic leadership.

In a condolence message, President Tinubu described his death as the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history, recalling his contributions to public administration, governance, industry and pan-African business.

Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur rose to national prominence as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, where he played a role in modernising port operations and strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sector.

His political career took a major turn during the Second Republic when he was elected Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. The state was later divided into present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.

Tukur also made his mark in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

He later served as Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.

Tukur also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party from March 2012 to January 2014.

Beyond Nigeria, he was a prominent advocate of Africa’s economic integration and development. 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.

President Tinubu extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Government and people of Adamawa State, as well as Nigeria’s political and business communities.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and give comfort to his family and all those mourning his death.