Jonathan, northern govs, others mourn ex-minister, Kontagora

[TGD]

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) Thursday described as a national loss the death of the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Tsoho Kontagora, who was until his passage the Deputy Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

The retired soldier cum politician, aged 69, died on Wednesday night during a brief illness.

In a statement by the Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Rueben Abati, Jonathan, on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, extended sincere condolences to the late minister's family, the Kontagora Emirate Council, Governor Babangida Aliyu and the people of Niger State.

He added: "The President joins them in mourning the illustrious and indefatigable former Minister of Works and the FCT who, even in retirement, continued to serve his fatherland with zeal, vigour and enthusiasm whenever he was called upon to do so.

"President Jonathan believes that the nation will always honour the memory of the late army engineer 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 service, including as minister, 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.

"He prayed God Almighty to grant his soul eternal rest."

Chairman of the NSGF and Governor of Niger State, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, gave the group's condolence in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo.

Describing Kontagora as a patriot who died in the service of his fatherland, the governors said they were pained by his demise, but were taking 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 statement added.

Meanwhile, the President has dispatched a three-man Federal Government delegation, led by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, to represent him at Kontagora's burial

Also on the delegation is the Minister of State for Power, Mrs. Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, and the Chairman of Sure-P, Dr. Christopher Kolade.

Kontagora was born on April 20, 1944 in Kontagora, Kontagora Local Council of Niger State. He attended Central Primary School, Kontagora, from 1952 to 1958 and later proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna (1964 to 1967). He also obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria (1967 to 1972).

He attended the Naval Post-graduate School, Monterey, California, United States (U.S.) and U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Kontagora's tenure as FCT minister saw a boom in the construction of housing and infrastructure. He ceded a strategic plot next to the International Conference Centre to the Abuja Horticultural Society to develop to world standard. Now known as the Abuja International Peace Park, it was finally opened in 2003.

He has received many awards and citations, including: Award of Distinction: Nigerian Society of Engineers, International Fellow, United States Army War College (USAWC), Outstanding Public Service Award: Success Digest Forum 1988, First Niger State College of Education Academic State Union Award for the most outstanding Governing Council Chairman in Niger State (December 1995) and Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

Kontagora was a Commanding Officer, 11 Field Engineer Regiment, Kaduna; Commander, Nigerian Army Engineer Brigade (Ibadan), Commander, Nigerian Army Engineer Brigade (Jos); Commander, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (New Bussa). He was once Minister of Works and Housing, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Director of Quartering and Engineering Services (Army).

He was as well Chairman, Implementation Committee on Army Projects (ICAP), Chairman, Kontagora Emirate Development Association (KEDA); Chairman, Presidential Monitoring Committee (PMC) on the Development of Stadia towards the Hosting of World Youth Football Championships (Nigeria 95); Chairman, Governing Council, Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru; Chairman, Administrative Audit Panel on Ahmadu Bello University; Sole Administrator, Ahmadu Bello University, and Chairman, Implementation of White Paper, Niger State Government.



The Guardian