Mamman Kontagora

Major-General (retired) Mamman Kontagora (April 20, 1944 – May 29, 2013) was Military Administrator of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalam Abubakar, handing over control to a civilian in May 1999.[1]

Mamman Kontagora
Administrator of the Federal Capital Territory
In office
August 1998 – May 1999
Preceded byJeremiah Timbut Useni
Succeeded byIbrahim Bunu
Personal details
BornApril 20, 1944
Kontagora, Niger
DiedMay 29, 2013(2013-05-29) (aged 69)
Abuja, Nigeria

Biography

Kontagora was among the first intake of officers when the Nigerian Defense Academy opened in 1964.[2]

Kontagora was appointed Minister of Works and Housing in the Babangida government. In 1991 he issued regulations on pollution abatement and effluent limitations covering all industries, with heavy fines for non-compliance. However, follow-up by the government on infractors was limited.[3] In December 1991, he announced plans to draw up guidelines by early 1992 to control oil pollution.[4] The Sani Abacha government appointed Kontagora sole administrator of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1995 after a major conflict at the university. He remained in charge until some time after the death of Abacha.[5]

Kontagora was appointed Administrator of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on 22 August 1998.[6] The brief period when Kontagora was in charge of the FCT saw a boom in construction of housing and infrastructure.[7] Kontagora ceded a strategic plot next to the International Conference centre to the Abuja Horticultural Society to develop as a world standard park, now the Abuja International Peace Park, finally opened in 2003.[8] In January 1999 Kontagora said that all structures had been put in place to ensure a smooth transition to democracy in May 1999.[9]

Kontagora was a candidate to represent the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2003 elections for FCT Senator, but was defeated in the primaries by Isa Maina, who went on to be elected. In October 2004 Kontagora announced that he would be a candidate to contest the 2007 presidential elections on the PDP platform.[10] He was cleared as a candidate by the PDP, but was defeated by Umaru Yar'Adua, who went on to be elected.[11] He died in the late hours of May 29, 2013. He was 69.[12]

References
  1. "Nigeria States". World Statesmen. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  2. Max Siollun (2009). Oil, politics and violence: Nigeria's military coup culture (1966–1976). Algora Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0-87586-708-1.
  3. O. P. Dwivedi, Dhirendra K. Vajpeyi (1995). Environmental policies in the Third World: a comparative analysis. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 141. ISBN 0-313-29397-X.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. "Nigeria to tighten pollution control". The Oil Daily. December 17, 1991. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  5. George Klay Kieh (2007). Beyond state failure and collapse: making the state relevant in Africa. Lexington Books. p. 174. ISBN 0-7391-0892-1.
  6. "IRIN West-Africa: Nigeria's new cabinet 98.8.24". UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 22 August 1998.
  7. Umar Shuaibu (January 9, 2008). "Challenges to Development Control Activities in Abuja" (PDF). Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  8. Osita P. Akwah II. "Abuja International Peace Park". Academic Associates PeaceWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  9. "IRIN-West Africa Update 391 for 1999.1.29". UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 29 January 1999. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  10. Chuks Okocha (2004-10-24). "2007: Kontagora Eyes Presidency". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 2005-01-19. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  11. John-Abba Ogbodo. "PDP clears 20 presidential aspirants". Retrieved 2010-04-19.


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