Who remembers Gen. Mamman Kontagora (April 20,1944-May 29, 2013)?

One of the best man to have handled Ministry for Works & Housing in the history of Nigeria.
A honest & hardworking product of the Nigerian Army who’s integrity & love for Nigeria can be equated with President Buhari.

He was Minister for Works and Housing from 1988 to 1993 .
Late Gen. Mamman Kontagora as Minister for Works was always on the road and usually don fly .
I remember he once told journalist as Minister for Works, “if I use aeroplanes,how will I know if contractors are working?”

The media team attached to him by media organizations in Nigeria then knows if Gen. Kontagora is going on tour and you not in his office in CMS those days by 5am,you are on your own .
Gen. Kontagora never enriched himself or family with public funds.
He lived within his means

When Abdulsalami Abubakar, pencilled him down as his Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, a senior traditional ruler from his local government, Kontagora, objected. Asked why he should object in spite of his subject’s reputation for hard work and honesty, the respected

Traditional ruler said he had no problem with it, only that Gen Kontagora was too inflexible to overlook the bending of rules necessary for occasional patronage to kith & kin which greased governance all over the world. Needless to say, General Abubakar went ahead to offer

Gen. Mamman Kontagora the job as Minister for FCT.

Gen Kontagora was offered the thankless job of auditing Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,his alma mater (Class of 1972), as a result of serious financial & administrative crisis in d university that disrupted studies in the

Premier institution as Sole Administrator.
Gen. Kontagora cleared the mess he identified.
Not surprisingly, mixed reactions trailed his appointment & his tenure. Yet nt even his worst critics cld question the integrity he brought to bear on his assignment which he completed

in July 1998. At any rate those who took over from him were happy enough with his performance they named its convocation square after
Gen. Kontagora.
He is one of my hero in public office and one who has demonstrated public office is nt about enriching yourself but Service.

The NOA should produce documentaries on public servants with integrity like the late Gen Mamman Kontagora to serve as a role model to young Nigerians especially at this time of nation building where character,hard work and integrity is key in public service.

May His Soul Rest In Peace.

God Bless Nigeria.

C