Former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, on Friday, described the death of former Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Abubakar Hashidu, as a great loss not only to Gombe State, but Nigeria in general.

In a statement signed by him and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, Babangida said the deceased contributed alot the development of the country.

Hashidu, who died on Friday, served as Minister of Water Resources, and later Agriculture under the regime of Babangida.

He described Hashidu as a “trusted ally and a technocrat per excellence” that was an asset to his administration in the development of River Basins, and who also ensured the implementation of water resources management policies in the country .

He also described the deceased as a “political ideologists and a pragmatic politician that accepted the will of the people by conceding defeat in the 2003 election and congratulated the winner.”

The former Military President extended his hearfelt condolences to the family of the deceased as well as the government and people of Gombe State