Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar issued a condolence message on October 9 expressing deep condolence over the death of local government expert, researcher, and head of the Local Government Reform Commission, Professor Dr. Tofayel Ahmed.

In the condolence message, he said, Professor Dr. Tofayel Ahmed was one of the pioneers in research on the development and reform of Bangladesh’s local government system. He served as the head of the Local Government Reform Commission with exceptional wisdom, competence, and dedication. The constructive and pragmatic recommendations he made to make the local government structure more effective and accountable will have a positive impact on national policymaking. I express my profound sorrow and grief at his passing.

He further said, Professor Tofayel Ahmed was an eminent researcher and analyst on local government and cooperative activities. Throughout his life, he was devoted to administrative decentralization, establishing democratic governance, and ensuring accountability in local government. His nearly 20 books written in both Bangla and English on local government and politics, along with numerous articles published in national and international journals and newspapers, will enrich future generations in their pursuit of knowledge and research.

He also served as a Local Governance Adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh. With his death, the nation has lost an honest, wise, and dedicated researcher.

It is to be mentioned that Professor Dr. Tofayel Ahmed was a Professor and Syndicate Member of the University of Chittagong. I pray for the forgiveness of his soul and extend my heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved family members, colleagues, and well-wishers.