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Tag: Shagaya

  • When Shagaya locked down Lagos, Abuja

    When Shagaya locked down Lagos, Abuja

    For Hajia Bola Shagaya, this month of July has been a rollercoaster of events and activities marking the wedding of her son, Mukhtar Tola Shagaya, who tied the nuptial knot with his heartthrob Ayobola Odebuyi.

    The Ilorin-born business magnate, once again, showed the world  she has a mastery of hosting soirees. She exhibited her hospitable side andspared no cost for her son’s wedding.

    Dignataries from all walks of life attended the wedding party in Lagos, the Mother’s Night in her Maitama mansion in Abuja and the wedding reception at Transcrop Hotel Abuja.

    Hajia Shagaya does not celebrate often; but when she does, it’s a total shutdown. She never fails to show her high-wired connections also as a socialite and fashion connoisseur.

    Read Also: Obi, Onyema, Shagaya, others celebrate MAN boss Lady Ada

    The wedding of Tolani gave people the opportunity to pay her back with their presence adorned with the chosen Aso-Ebi, Gele and caps.

    The Habour Point, Victoria Island corridor was shut down last week Saturday as the mammoth crowd of guests and dignataries tried to gain access into the venue of talk-of-the-town wedding.

    Guests were treated to choice dishes, pricey wines and champagnes. were also in circulation as those who attended could not forget in a hurry.

    Also, Hajia Shagaya last week Friday in Abuja also showed why she is called a ‘connected woman’.

    She pulled former first ladies, monarchs, governors, senators and representatives serving and high-ranking officials, among others, to the well-decorated Marquee Hall at the Transcorp,

    Wasiu Ayinde thrilled the audience with his performance.

    It was a parade of fashion with spectacles as Hajia Shagaya and Tolani  had the mother and son dance. It got emotional for her as she bid her son farewell from bachelorhood.

  • Shagaya remains laid to rest in Langtang

    The remains of the late Sen. John Shagaya were on Friday laid to rest in his home town, Langtang.

    Shagaya, who passed on in a ghastly motor accident along Langtang – Panskhin road on Feb. 11 was buried at Kuswang, Langtang town after a funeral service at COCIN Central, Langtang North.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Interior Minister, retired Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazau, said the news of shagaya’s death was sad and shocking not only to him but the entire nation.

    The president described Shagaya as a “true soldier and detribalised Nigerian.’’

    “Gen. Shagaya was a true soldier and detribalised Nigerian, whose interest was the welfare of his people who he successfully served as a senator.

    “His people and nation will greatly miss such a great man, who had given his all for us in spite of all odds, ’’ the President said.

    Buhari prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to give the family and Plateau people the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Dambazau said he had benefited from the benevolence of Shagaya having worked under him at One Division in Enugu where he tapped from his knowledge.

    “As a minister I have always reached out to him for assistance and his wise counsel.’’

    Governor Simon Lalong described Shagaya as a leader and mentor who helped in the formation and rise of APC in Plateau as well as his emergence as governor.

    Lalong said that with the great impact the late general had on Plateau and Nigeria, the state government will very soon honour him as a mark of appreciation.

     

  • Shagaya remains laid to rest in Langtang

    The remains  of late Sen. John Shagaya were on Friday laid  to rest in his home town, Langtang.

    Shagaya, who passed on in a ghastly motor accident along Langtang – Panskhin road on Feb. 11 was buried at Kuswang, Langtang town after a funeral service at COCIN Central, Langtang North.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Interior Minister, retired Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazau, said the news of shagaya’s death was sad and shocking not only to him but the entire nation.

    The president described Shagaya as a “”true soldier and detribalised Nigerian.’’

    “”Gen. Shagaya was a true soldier and detribalised Nigerian, whose interest was the welfare of his people who he  successfully served as a senator.

    ““His people and nation will greatly miss such a great man, who had given his all for us in spite of all odds, ’’ the President said.

    Buhari prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to give the family and Plateau people the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Dambazau said he had benefited from the benevolence of Shagaya having worked under him at One Division in Enugu where he tapped from his knowledge.

    “As a minister I have always reached out to him for assistance and his wise counsel.’’

    Also speaking, Gov. Simon Lalong described Shagaya as a leader and mentor who helped in the formation and rise of APC in Plateau as well as his emergence as governor.

    Lalong said that with the great impact the late general had on Plateau and Nigeria, the state government will very soon honour him as a mark of appreciation.

    Earlier during the funeral service, the officiating clergy, Rev Obed Dashan, COCIN Deputy President, cautioned on careless living warning that death is inevitable.

    Dashan, who took his text from Genesis 5:11-24, admonished the people of Nigeria to draw near to God to have a place in heaven after death. (NAN)

  • How Shagaya died, by FRSC

    How Shagaya died, by FRSC

    •APC, Saraki, Obasanjo, others mourn ex-minister

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has given an account of how former Minister of Internal Affairs, Senator John Shagaya died.

    Shagaya, retired Brigadier-General, died on Sunday in a road accident on Langtang-Pankshin Road in Plateau State.

    In a statement, FRSC spokesman  Bisi Kazeem, said the Plateau State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was on his way to Jos when his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) crashed into a tree around 2:25pm.

    He said: “An FRSC team from Langtang Unit Command was at the scene of the crash almost immediately after the crash.

    “He was travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with his driver and an orderly from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “Preliminary report indicates that the driver lost control and hit a tree making the General to sustain a head injury that eventually led to his death.

    “The two injured aides of the General are currently in Pankshin General Hospital while the body of General Shagaya has been deposited at the Air Force Hospital Mortuary in Jos.”

    The details were similar to what the public had already learnt in news reports of the incident on Sunday evening.

    Kazeem said FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, had given his condolences to the family “while appealing to other motorists to always avoid whatever could cause mishap on the highways.”

    Shagaya served as minister of internal affairs under military President Ibrahim Babangida, and represented Plateau South in the senate from 2007-2011.

    He was recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chairman of the Board of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru near Jos.

    The APC has mourned the passing of Senator Shagaya.

    The party said Shagaya, who died at the age of 76 was a great loss to the country.

    “We recall his excellent service during his sub-regional assignment as Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Commander. The late Shagaya also had distinguished tenures as Minister during the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida military regime and Senator between 2007 and 2011, when he moved several motions and initiated bills for the good of the country.

    “Indeed, the passage of Shagaya is a great loss to the country, but we are consoled by the fact that he had a meaningful and impactful life as a soldier, an administrator and lately as a politician, who was driven by the virtues of unity, patriotism, and selflessness,” the APC said in the statement.

    Senate Presiden, Bukola Saraki, expressed sadness over Shagaya,’s death.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the late Shagaya as a “fine officer and gentleman” who during his lifetime, gave his all in the service of his country, both as a soldier and politician.

    “Shagaya would be remembered for his meritorious service to the country and the West African sub-region as an active member of the Nigerian Armed Forces,”

    “As a politician, he was elected to represent Plateau South Senatorial District in the 6th Senate where he contributed to various legislations aimed at enhancing the nation’s democracy. He was the Chairman, Governing Board of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru in Jos,” he stated.

    President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and the government and people of Plateau State over the irreparable loss, while calling on the Federal Government to immortalize the late army General.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the death of Shagaya as “shocking.”

    In a  message  to Governor Simon Lalong, Obasanjo condoled with the governor and family of the late Shagaya.

    “I was shocked to receive the sad news of tragic death of Senator John Nanzip Shagaya.

    “He served his country meritoriously as a soldier, a military administrator and a lawmaker before he died after a tragic road accident.

    “He will be sorely missed by his family, his community and his colleagues in the Senate and surely by his State and his friends and former colleagues in the military.

    “May his soul rest in perfect peace and may God console his family, friends and peers,” Obasanjo said.

  • Mark mourns Shagaya

    Mark mourns Shagaya

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has described the sudden death of Brigadier General John Shagaya (rtd) as shocking and saddening.

    Mark in a statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that the country has lost one her finest fertile minds who believed in the unity of the country.

    He noted that the late Shagaya did not only believe in the sanctity of the rule of law, but also in a society where every body was free to pursue his of her legitimate ambition.

    Mark said, “I am shocked, I am sad, he was my friend, comrade and colleague.He was among the best fertile minds in the Armed Forces during our days in the Nigerian Army.”

    “He believed in the sanctity of our unity. He believed in the rule of law and in a society where every citizen is free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear or molestation intimidation.

    “After our retirement from the army, we reunited again in the 6th Senate in the service of our father land.

    “His death is a huge personal loss to me. I have lost a bosom friend, a pathfinder and a patriot.

    “Nigeria has lost one of her finest and fertile minds. I am however consoled that he left positive footprint on the sand of time. I am convinced that his legacy of uncommon commitment to the ideals of nationhood will endure and will be a reference point in many years to come.

    “May God in His infinite mercies grant him eternal rest. May He grant the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

  • Update: Former Minister, Shagaya dies in auto crash

    Update: Former Minister, Shagaya dies in auto crash

    Former Internal Affairs Minister, General  John Shagaya (rtd), is dead.

    He died in a motor accident according to Chief Dan Dandur, former Chairman, Langtang North Local Government in Plateau.

    “Shagaya died in a road crash today; we are right now with the corpse at the Air Force Military Hospital, Jos,” Dandur told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in a telephone interview.

    Dandur said that the 75-year-old retired army general was on his way to Jos from his village in Langtang, when the accident occurred at Amper in Kanke Local Government of the State.

    “Shagaya was traveling along with his driver and orderly when the accident occurred, but the two survived with serious injuries and are receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.

    Dandur described Shagaya’s death as “shocking and unbelievable”.

    “His death is too sudden. I just can’t believe that he has left us,” Dandur, who holds the traditional title of “Baraya Langtang”, told NAN.

    Born in Langtang North, on Sept. 2, 1942, Shagaya served as minister of internal affairs under military President Ibrahim Babangida, and represented Plateau South in the senate from 2007-2011.

    Until his demise, he was a chieftain of the APC in Plateau State.

    Shagaya, who attended Junior Primary School at Nyer and Sudan United Mission (S.U.M) Primary School, Langtang between 1952-1959, later went to the Nigeria Military School (N.M.S) Zaria in 1960-1964.

    After graduation from the Nigeria Military school, Zaria, Shagaya was posted to the Nigerian Army Corps before  attending the first short service Combatant Commission Course at Nigeria Defence Academy (N.D.A) Kaduna, in 1967.

    He was posted to 3 Marine Command upon commission, where he participated in the Nigeria Civil War from 1967-1970.

    Shagaya became the first Field Commander to chair the Conference of the Joint Chief of Staff of the enlarged ECOMOG having Commanded the 1st Mechanized Division in the Nigerian Army including a Platoon, Company, Battalion and Brigade.

    In addition to being an active politician, Shagaya was Director of the defunct Lion Bank (Nig.) Plc between 1998-2003, and is the author of a book: “The Tarok History”, after publishing two other books – “Governance in Nigeria: The IBB ERA, an Insider’s View” and ”The Ministry of Internal Affairs, an Overview”. (NAN)

    Shagaya
    Scene of the accident

     

  • Konga board appoints Shagaya as chairman

    Konga board appoints Shagaya as chairman

    The Board of Directors of Konga Online Shopping Limited has announced the appointment of Sim Shagaya as its Chairman, effective immediately. Shagaya is the Founder & CEO of Konga Online Shopping Limited, the leading online retailer and marketplace in Nigeria. He is also the Founder and Executive Chairman of DealDey Limited.

    Shagaya has over 13 years’ experience in New Media and Investment Banking and has worked with leaders such as Micro Strategy, Lucent Technologies and Real Networks before he founded his first venture E-motion Advertising Limited; a leading out of home advertising company with assets in cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. He also served as the Africa lead for the search and internet advertising leader Google Inc. He is a graduate of George Washington University, Dartmouth College and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

    As the Board searches for a new CEO, Shola Adekoya will serve as interim CEO. He joined Konga as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in July 2013 and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Shola holds an MBA from Cranfield University and is a fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA). Adekoya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from London South Bank University.

    As chairman, Shagaya will bring on board an extensive managerial and entrepreneurial experience and this appointment will see him drive the long term vision and strategy of Nigeria’s largest online mall.

    Konga.com is Nigeria’s largest online mall. The company launched in July 2012 with a mission, ‘To Become the Engine of Commerce and Trade in Africa’. The company has recorded very rapid growth and in just three years, konga.com has built an operation that leads the market in customer satisfaction, merchandise shipped and innovation.

  • Bola Shagaya regains groove

    Bola Shagaya regains groove

    There are many ways to describe Hajiya Bola Shagaya. You could choose to describe her using her qualities that project perseverance, hard work and determination or you could choose to describe her as a woman with varying areas of specialisation. But, you can never describe her as a timid business woman or as a woman who gives up easily. No matter what life casts her way, Shagaya will always find a way to remain on top of her game.

    You will recall that during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonatha, Shagaya’s prominence in Nigeria skyrocketed and she quickly became one of the most connected women in the country. Since Jonathan lost the presidential election few months back, the woman, who is also a PDP leader in Kwara State, faded off the limelight, choosing to maintain a low profile, perhaps to restrategise and repackage her brand.

    Last week, she stunned many when she resurfaced like a phoenix rises up for its ashes. She was one of the female celebrities who brightened up the 80th birthday soiree of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. As she stepped into the venue, her arrival was announced by KSA, causing many to stir in admiration, while others cringe in envy. She looked elegant, sophisticated and dazzling in her outfit. What came as a surprise to many was the realisation that she is Bamanga’s in-law. It is obvious that Shagaya has since put the election story behind her and is concentrating solely on her business and family.

  • Useni cautions Shagaya on petition

    The lawmaker representing Plateau South, Senator Jeremiah Useni, has cautioned his kinsman, Gen. John Shagaya, on his memo to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    Shagaya reportedly sent a memo to the APC national chairman, alleging a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to destroy APC’s stronghold in Plateau State through the election tribunal.

    The memo followed the dismissal of his petition by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Jos for lack of merit.

    Useni, the benefactor of the tribunal judgment, said Shagaya’s memo did not reflect the character of a retired general and a seasoned politician, who should concede defeat.

    Senator Useni, who reacted through his media aide, Abubakar Ateeku, said: “The attention of Senator (Gen) J.T. Useni’s media office has been drawn to a letter written to the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, by Gen. John Shagaya and published in the media.

    “Useni found Shagaya’s letter as unfortunate, unnecessary and uncalled for, by trying to discredit a tribunal set up by the President of the Court of Appeal.

    “I expected that as a politician, Gen. Shagaya should have toed the path of honour by conceding the defeat he suffered at the polls and at the tribunal.

    “The tribunal worked on the fact laid before it and dismissed the petition of my opponent for lack of merit, not because it  compromised as Gen. Shagaya claimed in his memo.

    “Gen. Shagaya ought to blame himself for his failure to prove his allegation of electoral fraud beyond reasonable doubt, as expected of him, instead of blaming the judges.”

    Useni urged the APC national chairman to ignore Shagaya’s memo on the grounds that it was an attempt to cast aspersions on innocent judges for discharging their duties as their professional calling instructed them to do and because it was an attempt to undermine the credibility of the judicial system.

     

     

  • Why Buhari should be APC candidate, by Shagaya

    Why Buhari should be APC candidate, by Shagaya

    Former Minister of Internal Affair General John Shagaya has said in Abuja that the time has come for Nigerians  to elect a leader, who is capable of bringing back the nation’s lost glory.

    Speaking at a news conference organised by the Buhari Friends Organisation,  Shagaya said that Nigeria is lagging behind its counterparts because of corruption and insecurity in the land.

    He said it is unfortunate that Nigeria, which was a recognised as a continental power a few years ago because of her exploit in peace keeping in other African countries is not able to deal with pocket of insurgents who are occupying cities  with impunity.

    He said: “Nigeria was two years ago recognised as a continental power and a great contributor to world peace, hence, we were elected a non- voting member of the security council. I said in the last two years because the world has began to frown against some of the happenings in this country. There is a high level of insecurity and corruption.

    “The western world is saying this is the Nigeria that saved Tangayyika, now Tanzania. We were in Rwanda and Angola and other parts of Agrica. How come that we cannot cure ourselves of minor misdemeanor? The solution can be found in the statement of the America Secretary of State in Europe  that we have corrupt and porous leadership. These two factors have contributed to insecurity”.

    Speaking on why Buhari should be given the mandate to lead the country, he said: “This man we are hoping that Nigerians will give the opportunity to rule is incorruptible and fearless.

    “He is one man who in 1984, when the World Bank decided that we must swallow line, hook and sinker heavy conditionalities in Nigeriia, he stood up and said, I must consult my country because Nigeria must not be judged on western values because we are a developing nation. You know what happened when we began to bite the conditionalities of the World Bank. When he made this speech in 1984, the naira was equivalent to 2.2 dollars.

    “Today, you need a basket of naira to buy one dollar. Those are the qualities he has. He is a man that most Nigerians who are not hungry would want to rule this country. Of course, democracy is a game of numbers and I know that all of us from different background who love this country will say that we have someone we respect and will be respected by the continental bodies. Since Nigeria cannot operate in a vacuum, we need someone that the world can accept for us to develop and progress together.

    “There is, no doubt, that our leaders have done the best from the beginning in 1960 and even the struggle for, independence through the civil war until the last few years. All I believe that the Friends of Buhari are saying today is that we are declining, instead of climbing to the top of the ladder. This is were the entire world did not expect us to be.

    “Whether as Christians or Muslims or non-believers, we must realise that we must govern this country with a high sense of responsibility through incorruptible citizens as well as men and women that the world and our various communities will respect.

    “I want to say that, if other Nigerians listen to you, they should vote one man, General Muhammadu Buhari, and by so doing, we will be back to the great nation that we were a few years back and we will not be losing 16 local governments to Boko Haram. In some states like mine, we have 17 local governments and, if they occupy 16 local governments, it means that an entire state has been lost”.

    The National Coordinator of Buhari Friends Organisation, Saint Athanasius Okon, appealled to the leadership of the APC to look inward and give the party’s presidential ticket to the former  leader.

    He also appeal to other aspirants on the platform of the party to reconsider their position and adopt the retired  General. He added. “They should do justice to the man who has been fighting for us so that we should have a better society. They should give him a consensus ticket.

    “Other aspirants should give the ticket to the man they were using to consult. Let him carry the flag so that it will be easy for the younger ones to follow. He stands for equity. Allow merit to thrive over mediocrity. Plead, that we do more work by going to mobilise potential delegates.”