*The late Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
President Bola 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.
Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, was described by the President as a towering national figure whose death marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political, economic and business history.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said Tukur’s life and career reflected decades of service to Nigeria across public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business.
Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur rose to national prominence during his tenure as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) between 1975 and 1982.
According to the President, Tukur played a significant role in the modernisation of port operations during the period and contributed to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
His career subsequently took a political turn during the Second Republic, culminating in his election as Governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. The state was later divided into Adamawa and Taraba states.
President Tinubu recalled Tukur’s transition between public service and private enterprise, noting that he established himself as a prominent businessman and industrialist.
He served as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.
Tukur also served as Federal Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.
Beyond Nigeria, the late elder statesman played a prominent role in promoting African economic integration and private-sector development.
He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, where he advocated greater intra-African trade, private sector-led economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.
His political career also saw him rise to the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he held from March 2012 to January 2014.
Tinubu acknowledged Tukur’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development during his tenure as PDP chairman, particularly his efforts towards party discipline and consensus-building.
The President described the deceased as an urbane, generous and principled Nigerian who remained deeply connected to the values of integrity and service associated with the Adamawa Emirate and the nation.
“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.
President Tinubu extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Government and people of Adamawa State, as well as the wider political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and give his family, associates and all those mourning his death the strength to bear the loss.
Tukur’s death marks the passing of one of the prominent figures whose career straddled Nigeria’s public service, politics, business and continental economic diplomacy over several decades.