Adamawa State was enveloped in mourning at the weekend as political leaders, business figures, traditional institutions, family members and other sympathisers gathered in Yola to bid farewell to one of the state’s most prominent elder statesmen, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur
Tukur, former Governor of the defunct Gongola State and a respected figure in Nigeria’s political and business circles, died on Saturday afternoon in Abuja, just three days before his 91st birthday
His death marked the end of an era for a man whose life and career spanned decades of public service, politics and business, leaving an enduring imprint on Adamawa State and Nigeria
Fintiri Leads Adamawa to Receive Tukur’s Remains
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri led officials of the Adamawa State Government and members of the Tukur family to receive the remains of the late elder statesman at the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola
The remains arrived at about 7:07 pm. on Saturday, with the Governor joined by the deceased’s first son and Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Barrister Auwal D. Tukur, other family members and senior government officials.
From the airport, the remains were conveyed to the family residence, Tukur Lodge, in Yola, where the late elder statesman was laid in state ahead of his burial
At Tukur Lodge, Governor Fintiri joined members of the family, government officials and sympathisers in prayers for the repose of the deceased They prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, shower His mercy upon him and grant him Aljannatul Firdausi.
Yola Stands Still for Bamanga Tukur
On Sunday, the atmosphere of mourning extended beyond the Tukur family as prominent Nigerians converged on the Lamido’s Palace in Yola for the funeral prayers
The prayers were attended by Governor Fintiri; Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Bathiya Wesley; Adamawa APC governorship candidate, Tijjani Ahmed Galadima; former Governor Umaru Bindow Jibrilla; renowned businessman Aliko Dangote; senior government officials, traditional leaders, political figures, family members and hundreds of sympathisers.
The Chief Imam of Modibbo Adama Jumma’at Mosque, Khadi Ahmadu Bobboi, led the funeral prayers before the remains of the late elder statesman were conveyed to his final resting place in Yola
His burial brought together people from different political, social and economic backgrounds, reflecting the breadth of relationships and influence he cultivated throughout his long public life
Fintiri: “His Demise Creates a Wide Gap”
Speaking to newsmen during the burial, Governor Fintiri described the death of Bamanga Tukur as a monumental loss to Adamawa State and Nigeria
“We have learnt so much from him His demise creates a wide gap that only God can refill. We will continue to pray that Allah grants him Aljannah,” the Governor said.
The Governor’s tribute reflected the sense of loss felt across Adamawa, where Tukur was regarded not only as a former governor and elder statesman but also as a repository of political history, experience and wisdom
Business mogul Aliko Dangote similarly described Tukur’s passing as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly the business community, and prayed for Almighty Allah to grant him eternal rest
The Passing of a Generation
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur belonged to a generation of Nigerians whose careers traversed public administration, politics and private enterprise
As Governor of the defunct Gongola State, from which present-day Adamawa and Taraba states emerged, he occupied an important place in the political history of the region Beyond government, he became a nationally recognised figure in business and politics and remained an influential elder statesman for decades.
His long years in public life brought him into contact with successive generations of political leaders, business executives and public servants, making him one of Adamawa’s most recognisable figures on the national stage
He died only three days before what would have been his 91st birthday and is survived by two wives and 18 children, including Barrister Auwal D Tukur, Secretary to the Government of Adamawa State.
For Adamawa, his passing is more than the death of a former governor It represents the departure of a major witness to—and participant in—several defining chapters of the state’s and Nigeria’s political and economic history.
As his remains were committed to the earth in Yola on Sunday, the gathering of political leaders, business figures, traditional authorities, family members and ordinary citizens told its own story: Adamawa was not merely burying a former governor; it was bidding farewell to an elder statesman whose footprints stretched far beyond the borders of the state
May Almighty Allah forgive Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdausi Ameen.