Shehu Aliyu Sagari. May Perpetual Light Shine Upon You. A Democrat indeed.
I mourn with patriotic Nigerians the death of former president Alh Shehu Shagari. May his gentle soul rest in peace. He was a very patriotic Nigerian leader with a true nationalistic spirit. Believed
I mourn with patriotic Nigerians the death of former president Alh Shehu Shagari. May his gentle soul rest in peace. He was a very patriotic Nigerian leader with a true nationalistic spirit. Believed
in a United country with equal opportunities for all. As a symbol of Nigeria's reconciliation after the civil war, he chose an Ndigbo as his running mate and later Vice president Alex Ekueme. He instituted great projects that would have launched Nigeria into a strong
industrial nation - Ajaokuta, Aladja, Jos steel rolling Mill, Oshogbo, Katsina, NAFCON, NAFCO etc. Buhari overthrew his government. Even though he spent only 4 years and 3 months in office, his footprints are boldly recorded. The man who hardly won votes in the South West but
had three service chiefs from there (Gen Alani Akinrinade- Chairman ;Joint Chiefs of Staff, Akin Aduwo -CNS and IGP Sunday Adewusi). The man who believed in integrating all Nigeria and made two Northern Christian minorities his key service chiefs (Gen Gibson JALLO - COAS
and AVM Dominic Bello- CAS ). He gave opportunities to all being Fulani as Commander in chief, he appointed Umaru Shinkafi as head of Nigeria Security Organisation (NSO now known as DSS) and brought Bukar Shaib as National security adviser. He understood that National security
has a broader interpretation including food security and therefore brought an agriculturist to head that vital national body. He appointed many young people in their thirties then as ministers including Audu Ogbe, Paul Unongo, late Mamman Ali Makele, Bello Maitama and
Hassan (minister of power then). He never muzzled the press and was highly tolerant of the opposition even awarding the highest national honour GCFR (Grand Commander of the Federal Republic) to Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was his toughest political opponent.
He was celebrated
He was celebrated
in the Niger Delta of today which is today a no go area for President Buhari.
Inspite of the fact that the party in power then the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) did not control the National Assembly, there was hardly any bill that was sent by President Shagari which did
Inspite of the fact that the party in power then the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) did not control the National Assembly, there was hardly any bill that was sent by President Shagari which did
not sail through.
There are lessons to be learned from his eventful tenure. May God grant him eternal rest.
There are lessons to be learned from his eventful tenure. May God grant him eternal rest.
