President Muhammadu has described the late Minister of Mines, Power and Petroleum, Alhaji Shettima Monguno who died on Friday, as “one of the finest statesmen and political actors Nigeria ever had and who would always remain fountains of inspiration in life and death.”
In a condolence statement issued on his behalf by a federal government delegation led by Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd) to the burial in Maiduguri on Saturday, President Buhari said the late elder statesman from Borno State ranked among the most respected public figures in Nigeria while in office and while in private retirement life.
The President recalled that in the course of his public service as a Parliamentarian and a Federal Minister of Air Force and Internal Affairs during the First Republic, the late Shettima Monguno “had left behind a legacy of untainted and unblemished career”, which he said should be emulated by Nigerian leaders at all levels.
According to President Buhari a “man’s greatest pride is to leave behind a good name and that the late Monguno had achieved that desire.”
President Buhari, who said it would take volumes to narrate Monguno’s sterling virtues, extended his condolences to the family, the government and the people of Borno State over the passing of the late elder statesman from the State. The President prayed Almighty God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
The government delegation included the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of the FCT, Mohammed MUSA Bello and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu.
The government delegation was received at the funeral by the Governor, Kashim Shettima and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar ibn Garbai al-Amin al-Kanemi both of whom described the presidential gesture as a consolation and a source of inspiration. The bereaved family expressed their appreciation for the presidential delegation.
