Atiku mourns Bamanga Tukur, says elder statesman understood public service as duty

Obituaries, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has described the late former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, as a member of a generation that understood public service as a duty rather than a reward.

Atiku, in a condolence statement issued on Sunday and titled, “Nigeria has lost an elder statesman,” said Tukur dedicated his life to public service, business and the advancement of African enterprise.

According to the former vice president, Tukur served the country in various capacities, including at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as Governor of the old Gongola State and as Minister of Industries.

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Atiku said the late elder statesman was also a champion of African enterprise long before intra-African trade became a prominent subject of public discourse.

He said: **“Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, Tafidan Adamawa, served this country at the Nigerian Ports Authority, as Governor of the old Gongola State, as Minister of Industries, and as a champion of African enterprise long before it became fashionable to speak of intra-African trade.

“He belonged to a generation that understood public service as duty rather than reward.”**

Atiku prayed for the repose of Tukur’s soul and extended his condolences to his family, the Fombina Emirate, the Adamawa State Government and people, as well as his associates across Nigeria and Africa.

He said: “May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. My condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate, the Government and people of Adamawa State, and his associates across Nigeria and Africa.”