President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed great sadness at the news of the passing away of the First Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari.
Buhari said, “ On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Nigeria, it is with immense sadness that I received the news of the passing away of the First Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari which event happened Friday in Abuja”
The President described the death as the departure of a patriot whose life of service and humility was widely acknowledged.
President Buhari recalled part of the birthday message he (Buhari) sent to him last February when he said, “ we are enthralled and regaled with the many years of unequalled patriotism, sacrifices and contributions to national development. More specifically, we celebrate the role modelling qualities of integrity, diligence and humility that have been the hallmark of your visionary leadership.”
President Buhari is however, grateful to God that Alhaji Shagari lived to a ripe age and led an exemplary life, which he urges Nigerians of all walks of life to emulate.
“Nigerians held him in the highest esteem even when he was out of office until his demise and will forever miss his wise counsels.”
He prayed that Almighty God will comfort the family of the ex-president and all those who mourn him and will grant the soul of the late nonagerian eternal rest,” Presidential Media Adviser, Femi Adesina said.
…. Tinubu
On his part, former Lagos governor and All Progressives Congress national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described Second Republic President Shehu Shagari as a statesman, patriot and political stabilizer who served the country well in different capacities.
He said Shagari who entered politics in 1951 served the country in different capacities and served well.
In a statement last night by his Media Office signed by Tunde Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Former President Shehu Shagari was a statesman, patriot and stabilizer who believed in and worked for the unity of this country.
“He served Nigeria in different capacities -administrator, provincial secretary, House of Representatives member, minister in several ministries and president- and in each capacity he did excellently well. He contributed his quota to the growth and development of the country.
“He particularly helped in advancing our democracy. President Shagari had the temperament for good leadership. He was a decent man.
“In the Second Republic, as the first executive president, his was a moderating voice, a stabilising factor. Even within the defunct NPN, with all its reputation, he was of a different type. He wore integrity on his collar like a badge of honour.
“His background as a school teacher, his maturity and moderation helped to mould his politics. He was true and pure. He was humble and humane. He led a Spartan way of life. He was modest and unpretentious. Truthful and sincere. He was generally a good man.
“He saw the good qualities of his political opponent, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he gifted him the highest honor in the land, the GCFR award.
“Although we never wish our elders leave us, it is nonetheless pleasing that President Shagari left us at an advanced age. My condolences to his family and associates. Our prayer is that Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Fridaus. May He also grant the family the strength to live without him and to carry on with President Shagari’s legacies of commitment to national unity and excellence in service.
“I commiserate with Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the government and people of Sokoto State. I commiserate with the Muslim Ulamma in Nigeria and the world. May our country be blessed with more of people like President Shagari”.
….Jonathan
In the same vein, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with the family of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and the people of Sokoto State over the death of second republic president, describing him as a nation builder who cemented a good relationship between the North and South.
Ex-President Jonathan stated this in a tribute to the nation’s first executive President, noting that Shagari was a patriot who placed service to humanity and fatherland above personal interest.
In a statement by Ikechukwu Eze, the former President’s spokesman, Dr. Jonathan further described Shagari as a nice man with a clean heart who was sincere and selfless in service.
He said: “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.”
