The Deputy Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and
Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Major-General Mamman Tsoho Kontagora (rtd) is
dead. Kontagora who was in 2003 defeated by Isa Maina in the FCT senatorial
primaries of the PDP was aged 69.
Kontagora, who was defeated by late president Umaru
Musa Yar’adua during the presidential primaries of the People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) in the 2007 general elections, died in the late hours of Wednesday.
He was a former military administrator of the
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during the regime of General Abdulsalami
Abubakar.
General Kotangora, who was Sole Administrator of the
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on
the Development of National Stadia for the World Youth Soccer Championship in
1995, was also a minister of works during the regime of Ibrahim Babangida.
Jonathan Mourns
In a statement signed by Special Adviser to the
President (Media and Publicity), Reuben Abati, President Goodluck Jonathan
expressed ‘shock and immense sadness’ over the news of General Kontagora’s
death.
He, on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and
all Nigerians extended his condolences to the late General’s family, the Kontagora
Emirate Council, Governor Babangida Aliyu and all the people of Niger State.
The president described the late politician as the
“illustrious and indefatigable former Minister of Works and the Federal Capital
Territory who, even in retirement, continued to serve his fatherland with zeal,
vigour and enthusiasm whenever he was called upon to do so.”
He also praised the late Army Engineer and added
that the nation will always honour his memory for “having served Nigeria with
commendable patriotism and distinction during an excellent career in the Armed
Forces and in various other capacities in the public.
He prayed that God Almighty will grant General
Kontagora’s soul eternal rest.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by the Minister of the
Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed is to represent President
Jonathan at General Kontagora’s interment.
The delegation will also include the Minister of
State for Power, Mrs. Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi and the Chairman of Sure-P, Dr.
Christopher Kolade.
‘Uncommon Statesman’ – Northern Governors Forum
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) also
expressed shock and sadness at the death of General Kontagora ; describing it
as a monumental loss to Niger State in particular.
Forum Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Muazu
Babangida Aliyu expressed the forum’s condolence in a statement signed by his
Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo.
The statement described the late General Kontagora
as a patriot who died in the service of his fatherland.
The Governors stated that they were pained by the
demise of General Kontagora, but takes solace in the fact that he lived an
exemplary and purposeful life with remarkable achievements as a military
officer, administrator, community leader and a dedicated family man.
“He was an uncommon statesman, a dependable ally, a
devout Muslim, a great military officer, a highly disciplined gentleman and a
respected mentor of his sub-ordinate officers”, the message added.
The Forum also prayed God to grant the soul of the
deceased eternal rest and the immediate family of the late former sole
administrator of the Ahmadu Bello University the fortitude to bear the
irreparable los
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