Dr. Godknows Igali Pay Last Respects to Late Alhaji Bamanga Tukur @90

Dr. Godknows Igali Pay Last Respects to Late Alhaji Bamanga Tukur @90

Today, September 12, 2026, I joined several Nigerians at the Abuja residence of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished citizens, elder statesmen and nation-builders, His Excellency Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, CON, to pay my last respects following his passing at the age of 90.

Baba died three days prior to his 91st birthday, which was due to take place on September 15, 2026. His death represents not just a personal sorrow for his family and his close friends but also a major loss to Nigeria and to the African continent, since he had made outstanding contributions to public service, diplomacy, business, politics and economic development.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a capable public servant, diplomat, businessman and politician and his life showed a strong dedication to the unity, development and progress of Nigeria; he was part of a generation of Nigerians who regarded national service as a duty and as an opportunity for building links across ethnic, religious, regional and political divisions.

For Baba, creed, language and ethnicity were never the most important factors in human relationships; what mattered to him was the dignity of the individual, the unity of the country and the collective interest of the people.

It is one of the most notable parts of his career in public service to have served at the Nigerian Ports Authority. During his tenure the ports such as Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri and Onne, as well as Apapa and Tin Can Island, came to receive attention and recognition. Because of his dedication to making sure that all the ports in the country played meaningful roles in Nigeria's economic activities, he was long appreciated, especially in the South-South region.

He deserves to be remembered with thanks by the South-South geopolitical region for this and for his wider contributions to national development.

Apart from the ports area, Baba made a great contribution to the development of Nigeria's political and democratic institutions. Because of his involvement in national affairs and his dedication to national integration, he gained respect among people from different political and regional backgrounds.

The fact that he served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party which was the governing political party in Nigeria at that time, showed once again his strong and principled manner of leading. He was recognised for his courage, discipline and readiness to make hard decisions for the sake of the organisation he was responsible for leading.

His influence did not end in Nigeria; at the continental level he took on important roles in promoting African economic cooperation, trade and investment. The part he played in the processes leading to the establishment of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), as well as his contribution to strengthening the African Business Roundtable (ABR) and other continental economic bodies, showed his dedication to the economic integration and development of Africa.

They will form part of his lasting legacy.

However, apart from his official titles, political posts and professional achievements, there was another aspect of Baba which many of us greatly valued.

He was a mentor.

He opened his doors and freely offered younger people from various parts of Nigeria and all over Africa his time, his wisdom and his experience. Many of us who had benefited from his advice affectionately referred to him as "Baba", and he accepted the title with humility and true affection.

He was capable of bringing together experience and simplicity, authority and humility, as well as wisdom and humour. Even when the situation was serious, his usual sense of humour could ease the atmosphere and make people feel comfortable.

For us who had the good fortune to get together with him outside the official boundaries of our duties, his leaving now causes a great deal of personal sorrow.

Baba's life was a clear example of what can be achieved through serving others, exercising leadership and providing mentorship. Having lived through various significant periods in the history of Nigeria, he made his own contribution to the nation's ongoing effort towards development, unity and national integration.

The death of him creates a great gap in the lives of his family, his friends, his colleagues, his mentees and all the other people whose lives he had affected.

When grieving his departure, we should at the same time honour the fact that he lived a good life, a life devoted to service, leadership, mentorship and humanity.

We are grateful to Almighty God for bestowing upon him the gift of a long life and for enabling him to serve his country and continent for so many years.

When we say goodbye to him, may the memories of his contributions to Nigeria and Africa serve to inspire those generations which have not yet come into being.

May God Almighty bestow upon his family the strength and determination to endure this irremediable loss.

May your soul find perfect peace.