Elder statesman, Bamanga Tukur
National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of elder statesman and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, saying Nigeria has lost one of its finest leaders.
Igali, in a tribute released after visiting the late Tukur’s Abuja residence on Saturday, said he joined family members, friends and other Nigerians to bid farewell to the former Governor of the defunct Gongola State, who died at the age of 90.
Describing the late Tukur as an exceptional public servant, businessman and nationalist, Igali said his life was dedicated to promoting unity and selfless service.
According to him, “An accomplished public servant, diplomat, business maestro and politician, Baba was one of Nigeria’s most patriotic and dispassionate citizens ever. To him, creed, tongue and ethnicity were the least of things that mattered in human relationships.”
He noted that Tukur’s tenure as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reflected his commitment to fairness and balanced national development.
Igali stated, “No wonder at his time at Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), all ports including Portharcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne worked in equal standing as Apapa and Tin-can. For this, the South-South geopolitical owes him a world of gratitude.”
The PANDEF chairman further said the late politician’s contributions to national development extended beyond the ports sector, adding that his leadership of the then ruling PDP was marked by courage, patriotism and dedication to national integration.
He also highlighted Tukur’s influence on the African continent, saying his role in promoting trade and economic cooperation would not be forgotten.
“At the continental level, his particular role in midwifing some of the processes leading to the establishment of Afreximbank and consolidation of African Business Roundtable (ABR) and other continental trade and investment platforms will be remembered for a long time to come,” he said.
Beyond his public achievements, Igali said Tukur was widely respected as a mentor whose guidance shaped the lives of many leaders across Nigeria and Africa.
He said, “In all, beyond the lines of occupational interactions and intersection, he yielded himself in unparalleled humility to mentor many of us from all over the country and around Africa. We gladly called him ‘Baba’ and he really surpassed the expectations of all in this fathering business; often with unscathed humours.”
While describing Tukur’s death as a painful loss, Igali thanked God for blessing him with a long life devoted to service.
“His departure leaves a big void. But we thank God Almighty for His sovereign will and for the gift of good old age of service. May Baba’s soul rest in peace,” he added.
