Adieu, Baba Bamanga Tukur, CON: PANDEF National chairman Amb Godknows Igali Mourns Eminent Statesman at 90
ADIEU, DADDY BAMANGA TUKUR, CON
By EgbemaVoice,
Today, 12th September, 2026, I joined many Nigerians to the Abuja residence of one of Nigeria’s most outstanding citizens and statesmen, His Excellency Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, CON to pay my last respects. He passed on today at the age of 90 years, just three days short of his 91st birthday which should have come up on 15th September, 2026.
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. 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 rest of his efforts in state building and national integration in Nigeria are fondly remembered with nostalgia and national applause. This was specially demonstrated during his no-nonsense and altruistic tenure as National Chairman of then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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.
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.
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.
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