President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, describing him as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and economic history.
Tukur, a former governor of the old Gongola State and Minister of Industries, died on Saturday at the age of 90.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Tukur as a “towering figure” whose career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 1975 to 1982, where the President said he contributed to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Tukur later ventured into politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. The state was subsequently divided into present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.
“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,” the President said.
According to the statement, Tukur was involved in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
He also played a role in continental business advocacy, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
Tukur served as National Chairman of the PDP from March 2012 to January 2014 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Tinubu condoled with the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Adamawa State Government and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
He prayed that Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family and other mourners.
The family had earlier announced Tukur’s death in a statement signed by his son, Hon. Awwal D. Tukur.
