The first civilian governor of Borno State, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, has died in his 80s. A close family source who confirmed the demise of the elder statesman said he died from undisclosed illness at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
In 1979, Mr Goni was elected as the first civilian governor of former Borno State on the platform of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party. He governed the state until 1983 when he lost his second term bid.
He was also part of the Progressives Coalition led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Goni founded the Borno Radio Television to counter the propaganda being pumped out by the Nigerian Television Authority at the time.
Regarded by many as one of the best governors of the state, Mr Goni continued to enjoy the respect and admiration of the people for his past glory.
He contested for the governorship of Borno state in 2011 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and lost the keenly contested election to former governor Kashim Shettima, now a senator.
His burial arrangement has not been announced.
