A former Military Administrator of Benue and Kano States, Col. Aminu Isah Kontagora (rtd.) is dead. He was 65.
Kontagora died of COVID-19 related complications in the early hours of Monday at a health facility in Abuja.
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He was a career military officer who served in many leadership positions and military formations across the country.
Colonel Kontagora, born 1956, was a military administrator of Benue State, for two years between August 1996 and August 1998 during the regime of General Sani Abacha.
He then served as military administrator of Kano State from September 1998 to May 1999 during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
He was also a former governorship aspirant in Niger State under the platform of the PDP in 2015.
President Muhammadu Buhari commiserated with the family of Col. Kontagora, who, he said, lived a life of sacrifice and dedication to the betterment of others, and making remarkable impacts.
President Buhari, in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, urged family, friends and associates to accept the will of God, and find solace in Kontogora’s good works.
Buhari, who said Col. Kontogora’s experience, wisdom and cherished political support will be sorely missed, prayed that the Almighty God will forgive his sins, and accept his soul in eternity.
In a condolence message, the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, described the late Col. Kontagora as a complete gentleman and military officer who would be remembered for his enduring commitment to the development of Benue and Kano States during his tenure as military administrator.
“Late Col. Aminu Isah Kontagora was a respected officer who spent his life in the service of the State, country, and humanity. His death was a great tragedy and a monumental loss to the Niger State at this very critical period of our history,” he said.
He prayed that the Almighty Allah (SWT) grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest, reward him with Jannatul Firdausi and give the entire family the courage to bear the irreparable loss.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said Kontagora fully supported the forum during his lifetime.
Former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, rtd, described Kontagora as “a patriot and a shining star in the Artillery Corps when I had the privilege to command this very significant arm of the Nigerian Army.”
Benue declares today work-free
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has declared today as work-free day and directed that flags in the state be flown at half-mast in honour of Kontagora.
Ortom, in a statement by his spokesman, Terver Akase, described the death of Colonel Kontagora as a great loss to Nigeria and Benue State, in particular, stressing that his footprints in the state have remained indelible.
He sympathiSed with the government and people of Niger State over the death of their illustrious son and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest.
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