Breaking News: Gen Tanko Ayuba Is Dead

Former Communications Minister, Major General Abubakar Tanko Ayuba ((retd) is dead. 

His nephew, Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who confirmed the death to our reporter, said late Senator Ayuba died around 5:05pm on Wednesday at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) after a protracted illness.

“Yes, my uncle, Senator Abubakar Tanko Ayuba, has died. We are making preparation for his burial according to Islamic rites,” he said.

Senator Ayuba attended the Nigerian Military School and Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned second lieutenant, Signals Corps, 1967; Second-in-command, Signals Regiment, 1967; Adjutant, 2 Signals Regiment, 1970; Company commander, 1971; Brigade major, 1972; Commanding Officer, 1973; Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signals in 1978. 

He was Commanding officer, 2 Signals Regiment, 1979; Commander, 1979-80, Commander, Signals Brigade, 1980-81; Commander, Army Headquarters, Signals Group, 1981-84 and Commander, Corps of Signals, 1984-85. He was appointed member, Armed Forces Ruling Council, 1985; minister of Communications, 1985-87, promoted colonel, 1986, director of Manning, Army Head quarters, Lagos, 1988-90 and was appointed military governor of Kaduna State, 1990. 

In April 2007, he was elected Senator for the Kebbi South constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He also served on the Committees on Science & Technology, Police Affairs, Navy, National Planning, Integration and Cooperation, Defence & Army and Communication. 

In September 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Nelson Mandela Gold Award for his excellent leadership and contributions to society.

Late Senator Ayuba is survived by a wife and children, among whom is the current Kebbi State Commissioner for Justice, Rakiya Ayuba.