Tanko Ayuba is Dead

Former Minister of Communications, Major General Abubakar Tanko Ayuba ((rtd), is dead. He was aged 70.

The senator who represented Kebbi South constituency in 2007, died yesterday afternoon at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos, of an undisclosed ailment. Details of his death were sketchy at press time, but THISDAY gathered from sources at the hospital that prior to death, Ayuba had been on admission at a private ward for about two months.

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 Headquarters, 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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also served on the Committees on Science and Technology, Police Affairs, Navy, National Planning, Integration and Cooperation, Defence and Army and Communication. In September 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Nelson Mandela Gold Award for his excellent leadership and contributions to society.