The Benue State Government is mourning the former military administrator, retired Colonel Aminu Isa Kontagora who passed away on Sunday, 10th January 2021 at the age of 65.
Following his demise, Governor Samuel Ortom has declared Tuesday, 12th January 2021 as work-free day and urged that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
Governor Ortom in his tribute on Monday morning, described the death of Colonel Kontagora as a great loss to Nigeria and Benue State, in particular, stressing that his footprints in the state have remained indelible.
The Governor described Benue as the second home of the deceased, having remained in touch with the state during happy and trying moments.
He died on Sunday night after a brief illness at a hospital in Abuja.
According to a close family member of the former military administrator who announced the passing, Kontagora died of COVID-19 related complications.
According to the family source, he will be buried today, Monday in line with the Islamic injunction.
Born in 1956, Colonel Aminu Isa Kontagora was Administrator of Benue State, from August 1996 to August 1998 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
He was also the Administrator of Kano State from September 1998 to May 1999, under the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
He handed over power to the then elected executive governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on 29 May 1999.