(BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of local government expert, researcher, and former member of the Local Government Reform Commission Professor Tofail Ahmed.

In a condolence message, the Chief Adviser said Professor Tofail was one of the pioneering researchers on Bangladesh’s local government system.

“He (Tofail) served with utmost dedication as the head of the Local Government Reform Commission formed by the interim government in 2024. He made constructive and realistic recommendations for the development of the local government system, which are highly relevant,” Professor Yunus said.

The Chief Adviser further stated that Professor Tofail was a distinguished scholar and author on local government and cooperatives. Throughout his life, he (Tofail) was devoted to promoting administrative decentralization, accountable local governance, and democratic practices in the country, Professor Yunus said.

“With around 20 books in Bangla and English on local government and politics, along with numerous articles published in national and international journals and newspapers, his scholarly contributions will continue to enrich our knowledge for generations to come,” the Chief Adviser said.

Tofail, also former professor of the Chattogram University (CU), served as a Local Governance Adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh, he added.

Professor Yunus said the nation has lost an honest, wise, and dedicated researcher at the death of Tofail.

He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members, colleagues, and admirers of Professor Tofail Ahmed.

Professor Tofail Ahmed passed away at a hospital in the capital last night at the age of 71.