PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria on Thursday expressed sadness over the passing of Major-General
Mamman Tsoho Kontagora, a former military-era minister of works during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Kontagora, who died at the National Hospital in Abuja on Thursday, was the deputy-chair of the government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program.
“On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the late General’s family, the Kontagora Emirate Council, Governor Babangida Aliyu and all the people of Niger State,” a statement from President Jonathan’s office read on Thursday.
The statement added that “the nation will always honor the memory of the late Army Engineer for having served Nigeria with commendable patriotism and distinction during an excellent career in the Armed Forces.”
The late Kontagora was 69 years old.
Born on the 20th April 1944 in Kontagora in Niger State, he attended Central Primary School, Kontagora, from 1952 to 1958 and Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, from 1964 to 1967.
He bagged a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1972.
In later years, Kontagora attended the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterrey, California, U.S. and the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Kontagora served as Minister of Works and Housing from 1988 to 1993.
He was appointed Sole Administrator of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, by the Sani Abacha regime.
He was also the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 1998 to 1999.
Kontagora held various command posts, including Commanding Officer, 11 Field Engineers Regiment, Kaduna; Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers Brigade, Ibadan; Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers Brigade, Jos; Commander, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, New Bussa, and Director of Quartering and Engineering Services, Army.
He contested for the presidency on the platform of the PDP in 2007 but was defeated at the primaries.
Until his death, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
He held the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Kontagora is survived by a wife, Hajiya Ladi, and children.