• Shagari
Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Former President Dr.Goodluck Jonathan and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have mourned the death of Second Republic President of Nigeria, Alh. Shehu Shagari.
Shagari, who was 93, died at 6: 40 PM on Friday at the National Hospital in Abuja following a deteriorating health condition.
He would be buried on Saturday according to Muslim faith.
Shagari was president 1979 to 1983 and his Vice, Dr. Alex Ekwueme had died earlier.
But reacting on Friday evening, Jonathan and ACF in separate condolences condoled with the family of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and the people of Sokoto State over the passing of Shagari, describing him as a "nation builder who cemented a good relationship between the North and South," a humble man who respects the ideals of democracy.
In a statement by Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s spokesman, the ex - President further described Shagari as a sincere and nice man with a clean heart, who was selfless in service.
“Late President Shagari was a very nice man with a clean heart. As a President he was humble, sincere and selfless in service. He was in deed a true democrat who left no one in doubt about his loyalty to his country, love for peace, desire for unity and vision for a greater Nigeria.
“Shagari was an exceptional leader and exemplary statesman whose modesty, commitment to common good and deep sense of patriotism will continue to inspire many generations of Nigerians.
He will be remembered as a teacher, parliamentarian and President whose model of service was anchored on diligence, broad-mindedness and humility," Jonathan stated.
Also, ACF described the late Shehu Shagari, as a symbol of peace and unity, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, on Friday.
ACF said the late Turakin Sokoto not only engraved his name in the annals of Nigerian history as an elder statesman but also rendered selfless service to the North and Nigeria.
“The ACF mourns the passing on of the first Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our amiable Patron, elder statesman and Turakin Sokoto, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR at the age of 93.
“The late Alhaji Shehu Shagari was a federal minister in the First Republic and also the minister of Finance and Economic Development during the military regime of Gen Yakubu Gowon which supervised the judicious implementation of the three Rs (Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation) after the civil war.
“Alhaji Shagari was a member of the 1977/78 Constituent Assembly and the first elected Executive President of Nigeria under the Presidential system of government in 1979 that laid an enviable foundation for our present day democracy.
“ACF extends her condolence to all Nigerians, the Government and people of Sokoto state and the late Shagari’s family over this irreparable loss of the great elder statesman and ACF patron. May his soul rest in perfect peace in Aljannah Firdaus. Amin."
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