Murtaza Rakhimov, the very first president of Russias republic of Bashkortostan, died at age 88 on Wednesday in the regions capital Ufa after an extended disease, Bashkortostans current head Radiy Khabirov announced.

A town kid from Bashkortostans southwestern Kugarchinsky district, Rakhimov constructed an effective profession in the regions flourishing oil refining industry before being elected the head of the Bashkir ASSRs Supreme Soviet, the republics key governing body, in 1990.

Under Rakhimovs leadership, Bashkortostan declared state sovereignty in 1990, making him one of the key figures of the so-called parade of sovereignties epoch when Soviet republics declared different degrees of independence from Moscow.

Rakhimov was chosen the first president of the resource-rich republic in 1993 and governed the region with an iron fist up until his termination by then-President Dmitry Medvedev in 2010.

Rakhimovs presidency, marked by his extensive popularity amongst rural homeowners of the area however also universal corruption and ethnic-based nepotism, left a clashing tradition.

His love for taking part in opening ceremonies of brand-new infrastructure tasks made him the label can opener, though faithful supporters passionately called Rakhimov babay-- grandpa in his native Bashkir language.

Murtaza Gubaidulovich is gone.

We bow our heads before the terrific kid of the Bashkir people, who devoted himself entirely to serving the republic and Russia, Bashkortostans current head and Rakhimovs former assistant Radiy Khabirov wrote in his main Telegram channel Wednesday.

Rostislav Murzagulov, Rakhimovs press secretary turned opposition political leader who wrote a very popular memoir about the regional president, discussed his former manager passing by keeping in mind that Bashkortostans ex-leader will have a challenging conversation with the Almighty.

A farewell ceremony for Rakhimov will be hung on Friday in Ufa and is due to be relayed on all local TV channels, current local head Khabirov announced on Thursday.

Rakhimov will be buried in Ufas historic Mohammedan Muslim cemetery.