Bamanga Tukur Exit @90: Nigeria, Africa Have Lost a Rare Gem — PANDEF

 

By Wilson Macaulay

Yenagoa 

Nigeria and the African continent have lost a rare gem, elder statesman, distinguished administrator, businessman and statesman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who died at the age of 90.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), in a condolence message on the passing of the former Minister of Transportation and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described Tukur as an exceptional Nigerian whose contributions to national development, democratic governance, business and continental affairs would remain indelible.

PANDEF said the death of the octogenarian statesman represented a significant loss not only to his immediate family, friends and associates, but also to Nigeria and Africa, considering the breadth of his experience and the number of lives he positively influenced throughout his long public career.

The forum, which expressed its condolences to the Tukur family, described the deceased as a patriot who devoted several decades to the service of Nigeria and the advancement of the African continent.

According to PANDEF, Tukur's career traversed several important sectors, including public administration, politics, business, transportation, diplomacy and international development, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities confronting Nigeria and Africa.

The forum recalled that Tukur served Nigeria in various capacities, including as Minister of Transportation, while also playing significant roles in the development of the private sector and in international economic affairs.

PANDEF further noted that his leadership of the PDP placed him at the centre of Nigeria's democratic evolution at a critical period, describing his contribution to the country's political development as part of his enduring legacy.

The forum said Tukur was also associated with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), where his experience and commitment to African economic integration contributed to the broader vision of strengthening intra-African trade and development.

PANDEF particularly commended the deceased for his commitment to mentoring younger Nigerians and providing opportunities for people who came in contact with him to learn from his wealth of experience.

It said his greatest legacy might not necessarily be the offices he occupied, but the generations of professionals, politicians, entrepreneurs and public servants whom he influenced and encouraged during his lifetime.

“Bamanga Tukur was more than a politician or administrator. He was an institution in his own right, a bridge between generations and a repository of invaluable knowledge and experience,” PANDEF stated.

The forum said Tukur's death had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill, stressing that Nigeria needed more elder statesmen who could deploy their experience, wisdom and networks for national reconciliation, development and unity.

PANDEF urged the Federal Government, political leaders and younger Nigerians to preserve the values of service, integrity, mentorship and patriotism associated with the late statesman.

The forum also called on the Tukur family to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived a long and impactful life, leaving behind a legacy that transcended his immediate family and touched different aspects of Nigerian and African public life.

PANDEF prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family, associates and the people of Nigeria the strength to bear the loss.

The death of Bamanga Tukur, PANDEF added, should also serve as a reminder to the younger generation that public service should be viewed as an opportunity to build institutions, mentor others and contribute meaningfully to society.

The forum said Africa would continue to remember Tukur not only for the positions he occupied, but for the footprints he left across Nigeria's political, economic and public service landscape.