MORE eminent Nigerians yesterday condoled with the family of late ex-President Shehu Shagari.
They include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Nasiru el-Rufa’i have
They described him as an epitome of personal integrity, commitment, forbearance, forgiveness and faith in God.
Obasanjo, Saraki, Sambo, el-Rufa’i and Shettima spoke in their condolence remarks at the residence of the late Shagari.
Aregbesola expressed his condolences in a statement by his spokesman Mr. Sola Fasure.
Obasanjo was led to the Sama Road, Sokoto family house of the late Second Republic President by Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal after arriving through the Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto at about 9a.m.
The former president, who was received by Shagari’s eldest son, Muhammadu Bala Shagari, said the late elder statesman was a man of simplicity, faith in God and commitment to the fatherland.
Obasanjo, while noting his days in service and closeness to the late Shagari when they were both Federal Commissioners of Works and Finance in Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet, said the late Shagari was an honest, transparent and committed Nigerian.
Obasanjo recalled how the late Shagari expressed surprise when the mantle of leadership was handed to him in 1979 by a military head of state, who happened to be himself.
The junior Shagari thanked the former President for the condolence visit and appreciated his closeness to late Shagari.
He noted that Obasanjo was the man, who assisted their late father to have a house of his own in Abuja.
“Sir, I must say that of our family members of nine children to late Shagari, none of us, if not of recent that two have such property in Abuja. We are living his life style too.”
He ushered the former President in to condole with the widows.
Saraki has said Nigerians should learn from the sense of humour, wisdom and patriotism of late former President Shehu Shagari.
According to Saraki, he was a true and reliable democrat. If we hold on to that, our democracy will be more strong and promising. He stood for the development of Nigeria as a nation.
Saraki who visited the family of the former President yesterday afternoon whom he regarded a father and close associate of his late father, described the death as a great loss to Nigeria.
He said Shagari lived a worthy and trusted life for the development of the country.
“He lived a humble life to the fullest with exemplary sense of commitment and dedication to service”, he pointed out.”
Saraki was in company of the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Sen. Sani Yariman Bakura, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, Ataahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa among others led by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Aregbesola said yesterday that he received with much sadness the news of the passage of the first democratically elected president.
The former Osun State governor said he, however, accepted the news of Shagari’s exit with total submission to the will of Allah, describing it as an irreparable loss to the country.
He described the former President as a complete gentleman and a devout Muslim through his life.
He said the deceased could hardly hurt a fly, but found himself among political hawks during his tenure as President.
Aregbesola noted that the late Shagari was a compassionate person, a patriot, believer in project Nigeria and its unity, which was evident in the slogan of his party – One Nation, One Destiny, One Country.
Aregbesola noted that Shagari’s demise closed the chapter of the vibrant and colourful presidential gladiators of the Second Republic democratic experience.
Sambo urged Nigerians to emulate the worthy legacies and principles of the deceased, whom he described as a father.
Praying for the deceased, Sambo urged other Nigerians to emulate Shagari.
Also, el-Rufa’i described the late former president as a symbol of respect and humility.
“We heard a lot about him in our youthful days as students in Barewa College, Zaria on his good leadership virtues,” he said.
Welcoming them, Shagari’s son expressed gratitude to Allah for the remarks on his late father, whom he described as an uncommon symbol of good relations across the country.
To Shettima, the late Shagari was a shining example for his unequalled democratic legacies as a unifying factor for Nigeria’s prosperity.
According to him, “he would be remembered for his humility, selfless service and good governance as a true democrat.”
More sympathisers also visited and registered their condolences to the family.
