Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has described the demise of the former military Governor of Bauchi and Sokoto states Lt. General Garba Duba as a huge loss to the country.
Senator Mark noted that General Duba was a respected soldier who contributed to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.
General Duba was military Governor of Bauchi state between 1978 and 1979 under General Olusegun Obasanjo as head of state and in Sokoto from 1984 to 1985 under General Muhammadu Buhari’s shortlived military head of state.
According to Mark “Today, we mourn the loss of a true hero and distinguished officer and a gentleman. His life was dedicated to serving his country and protecting its territorial integrity. His legacy will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who had the honour of serving alongside him.
“General Duba was a man of great integrity, courage, and strength. His leadership was unparalleled, and his unwavering commitment to his duty inspired all who knew him.
“His strategic thinking and exceptional skills earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues as well as the trust of his superiors.
“Throughout his career, General Duba faced many challenges and obstacles, but his determination and fearless spirit never wavered.
“He led by example and his selfless dedication to his country was evident in every decision he made.”
Sen Mark prayed that God in His infinite mercies would grant him eternal rest.
Mark’s response came closely on the heels of the report if Duba’s death.
The late general, who hailed from Niger State, died at 82
He, at different times, served as military administrator of Sokoto and Bauchi states, Garba Duba, is dead.
Former senator for Kaduna Central District, Shehu Sani, announced Mr Duba’s death in a Facebook post on Friday.
Mr Sani further explained to PREMIUM TIMES that the retired lieutenant-general; died on Friday and his remains were interred at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja.
Duba, who hailed from Niger State, died at 82.
He served as military governor of Bauchi State under the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime between 1978 and 1979 and military administrator of Sokoto State under Muhammadu Buhari’s regime from 1984 to August 1985.
Mr Duba, as a young officer, participated in the counter-coup of 1966 in which Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, was killed.
Who is Garba Duba?
He joined the army as a cadet officer at the Nigerian Military Training College, Zaria in 1962 as a coursemate of Ibrahim Babangida, who overthrew Mr Buhari in 1985. Mr Duba was also trained at the Indian Military Academy.
During the Nigerian Civil War, he was a Captain and commanded an armoured unit.
According to a report by Blueprint Newspaper, Mr Duba during his tenure as military governor of Bauchi, Steyr Nigeria Limited, a tractor manufacturing company, was founded. He also established the Bauchi State Polytechnic, using one of the teachers’ colleges as a campus while the rector used the administrator’s Brigade Commander’s guest house as accommodation and other army formations for offices.
Under Mr Duba, some Teacher Training Colleges and School of Basic Studies were established in Bauchi. He later served as Commander, 2nd Mechanised Division between 1987 and 1988) as well as Commander, 3rd Armoured Division and Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy between 1990 and 1992.
In 1993, he retired from the army and went into private businesses where he held positions like chairman, New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC); chairman, SGI Nigeria Limited; director, First Bank of Nigeria; non-executive director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc and chairman, board of Leadway Pension Fund.
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