Governor Ahmadu  Fintiri has declared Monday a work-free day to honour Bamanga Tukur, a former governor of the defunct Gongola.

Mr Tukur, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, was buried in Yola on Sunday after funeral prayers at the Lamido’s Palace.

Mr Fintiri, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, said the declaration was to enable residents to pay their last respects to the deceased and reflect on his life and legacies.

The governor described Mr Tukur as a statesman whose contributions to the growth and development of Adamawa and Nigeria would continue to be remembered.

He urged the people of the state to use the work-free day to pray for the peaceful repose of Mr Tukur’s soul and seek God’s comfort for his family, friends and the people of Adamawa.

According to him, the work-free day is part of the state government’s measures to honour the late statesman during the three-day mourning period declared in his memory.

Mr Fintiri said all flags across the state would continue to fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

He, however, directed that essential services should continue to operate despite the declaration. Mr Tukur served as the third civilian governor of the defunct Gongola state and later held several prominent positions in Nigeria’s public and political spheres.

His burial in Yola on Sunday drew dignitaries, political associates, traditional rulers, family members and sympathisers who gathered to pay their final respects to the respected elder statesman.

(NAN)