Bamanga Tukur: Nigeria lost an icon, peacebuilder – Tinubu

FILE: President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has described the late Peoples Democratic Party national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, as an icon and peacebuilder, not only in the northern region but across Nigeria and beyond.

The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was in Yola, Adamawa State, on Thursday, to condole with the family of the late Tukur at his private residence.

The President described Tukur’s death as a sad loss to the entire country because he served humanity, while he also called for celebration because of his age and the enduring legacies he left behind.

“The death of Bamanga Tukur is a big celebration. Dying at the age of 91 is something that we are supposed to thank Allah for, for giving our father a long life,” he said.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri received the Vice President at the Yola International Airport and accompanied him to Tukur’s private residence.

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Welcoming Shettima and his entourage, Alhaji Awwal Tukur thanked the President for sending the Vice President to condole with the family over the death of their father.

He said the President demonstrated his fatherly leadership qualities by recognising every Nigerian as important as his family.

“My late father was born into a family of 26, 13 boys and 13 girls. Out of these, only four remain. His immediate younger brother is now the head of the family.

“My father married two wives and had 18 children. I’m the second son in the family. We are six boys and 12 girls, and all of us are alive,” he said.

Tukur died last Saturday in Abuja and was buried at his private residence in Yola on Sunday.

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