The Federal Government says it will in due course institute a suitable memorial to immortalize the country’s first Executive President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who passed away on Dec. 28.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the pledge during his condolence visit to the Shagari family in Sokoto, Sokoto State, on Sunday.
In a letter to the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, read by the governor at the event, the President stated:
“I received the very sad news of the passing away of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This, indeed, is a grievous loss, which will be felt throughout Nigeria, irrespective of any difference.
“The late Alhaji Shagari was a landmark figure being virtually our last link to the post-independence government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , and the first elected Executive President of Nigeria.
“Please convey to his immediate family, the government and the people of Sokoto State my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of this great statesman.
“The Federal Government will in due course institute a suitable memorial to the late former President.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
President Buhari had earlier on Sunday joined sympathisers and family members to offer special prayers for the repose of the soul of late former President Shehu Shagari at his private residence in Sokoto State.
The remains of the former president, who died at the age of 93 on Friday at the National Hospital Abuja, was laid to rest at his village, Shagari on Saturday, according to Islamic rites.
A TRUE PATRIOT, SERVANT LEADER – OSHIOMHOLE
Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, has said that the late former President Shehu Shagari will be remembered as a true patriot, servant leader, fine gentleman, and epitome of humility.
He made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, while paying tribute to Shagari, who was Nigeria’s first Executive President from 1979 to 1983.
Oshiomhole also said that Shagari would be remembered as a poet, technocrat, and an elder statesman, who genuinely loved Nigeria.
He said he would also be remembered in several glowing tributes by the ordinary Nigerians, institutions and leaders, locally and internationally.
He noted that the deceased started out as a school teacher, and later joined politics, and held numerous high offices, culminating in his election as the President, under the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN
This, the APC national chairman said, was the “stuff of legends”, adding that his exemplary conduct, candour and principled stance in public office and private life remained an inspiration to many.
“The late Shagari was a stabilising personality, who was ever ready to lend his voice and influence when the country needed it. The country has indeed lost a rare-breed leader,”he stressed.
He added that the death of Shagari was a sad and painful loss to his immediate family, Sokoto State, the Council of State and indeed the entire nation.
He said the APC, however, took solace in the fact that Shagari lived an impactful life,adding that he long wrote his name into the history books.
“Truly, the story of our democratic and political development will be inconclusive without his footprint.
“The APC expresses its condolences and prays the Almighty Allah grant the late Shagari eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the loss,” -Oshiomhole said.
PAINFUL EXIT OF SELFLESS STATESMAN– GOV. AJIMOBI
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the death of the Alhaji Shehu Shagari, a former President, as a painful exit of a selfless statesman whose simple lifestyle was worthy of emulation.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan by Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the governor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shagari, a former president of Nigeria in the second republic, died on Friday in Abuja at age 93 during a protracted illness.
Ajimobi said that Shagari had during his tenure as president shunned ostentatious standard of living and ruled the country with the fear of God in spite the relatively bouyant economy.
The governor said that the death of the former president would rob the country of his robust contributions to nation building and democratic norms.
“No doubt, the late president was an example in simplicity and modesty. As a president he lived by example by not amassing wealth or living large in spite the oil boom of the early period of his administration.
“His sterling democratic credentials and patriotism are noteworthy.
“Throughout his political career, during when he served as minister and federal commissioner, as well as a member of the federal House of Representatives before becoming president, he distinguished himself.
“The low-cost housing estate constructed across the country during the regime of Alhaji Shagari remains the template which successive administrations built upon to reduce the country’s huge housing deficit.
“The operation green revolution launched during his tenure, buoyed by mechanised farming and distribution of seeds and fertilisers to farmers nationwide inspired a boom in agricultural production during his regime,” he said.
Ajimobi said that late former president remained untainted and unblemished in spite a variance agenda with his incorruptible and simple lifestyle by some of his lieutenants as well as key party officials.
The governor commiserated with the family of the late president, the people and government of Sokoto State on the departure of whom he called an illustrious grandfather of the nation, praying for the repose of his soul.
EMULATE GOOD LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF LATE SHAGARI-NASFAT
Alhaji Kamil Bolarinwa,President of Nasrul Lahi l Fatih Society (NASFAT), has urged political leaders to emulate the good leadership qualities of the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
Shagari, a former President of Nigeria, (93) died on Friday at the National hospital, Abuja and was buried on Saturday at his residence in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Bolarinwa, in a statement in Lagos on Sunday, said that Shagari was not only a patriot but also a special breed of politician who stood in defence of unity and greatness of the country.
“His personal traits and attributes of truthfulness, transparency, probity and integrity earned him greater respect among his contemporaries and Nigerians.
“His was a life of service to his compatriots; having served as a teacher, administrator, politician and ultimately, the President of Nigeria.
“He was a detribalised Nigerian, he related with every part of Nigeria with uncommon fervour and love, thereby fostering peaceful coexistence and harmony.
“Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari will be remembered for laudable policies of his administration such as green revolution which succeeded in the provision of food abundance and jobs in the country in the 80s.
“Even though his administration was truncated, he bore no grudges against any succeeding administration till his death.
” As a matter of fact, he lent every support to various administrations toward Nigeria’s peace and development.
“He quietly retired from politics after his removal and relocated to his village but was always available to offer useful advice to every succeeding administration.
“We pray that the good legacies of the deceased will be emulated by our politicians and appropriately applied in the course of our nationhood.”he said.
AN AMIABLE LEADER, MEANT WELL FOR NIGERIA—JONATHAN
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with the family of late former President Shehu Shagari, describing him as an amiable leader that meant well for Nigeria and the world at large.
Shagari died on Dec. 28, at the National Hospital Abuja and was buried on Saturday in his home town, Shagari in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
Jonathan was accompanied on the visit by Mr Peter Obi, running mate of the 2019 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, as well as other PDP leaders in the state.
He said the late former president played a key role in the development of Nigeria and the democratic system.
“A unique habit of the late former President, which only those who interacted with him will tell is, he was a very simple and humble man in spite of the various positions he held.
“He possessed a very clean and good heart which he showed clearly in his life time thorough various engagements and activities.
“We are mourning today however, we are still happy because it is not easy to reach the age of 93.
“I believe he has done all the works Allah has asked him to do on earth,’’ Jonathan said.
The former President encouraged family members of the deceased to be happy because their father impacted on all Nigerians.
Also, Peter Obi who represented the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, urged Nigerians to emulate the lifestyle of the late former President for the betterment of the country.
Responding, the eldest son of the deceased, Alhaji Bala Shagari thanked former President Jonathan for the visit.
Shagari recalled the concern and solidarity shown by former president Jonathan when their father was ill.
Similarly, the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in Zamfara state, Sen. Sa’idu Dansadau, also described the death of the former President as a great loss to the country, Africa and the whole world at large.
Visitors who thronged the residence of the former President included a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida among others.
