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Remembering late President Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (Turakin Sokoto) of blessed memory

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December 28, 2024

Remembering late President Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (Turakin Sokoto) of blessed memory

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Today, Saturday 28th December 2024, marks 6 years of the demise of former President Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari , first executive president, commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1979 – 1983). He died on December 28th 2018, at age 93. (February 25, 1925 – December 28th, 2018).

Late President Shagari lived a remarkable life in the annals of the history of Nigeria. He was born into a humble rural family with great humility, character, and integrity.

His childhood was full of historical trajectories, as he personally explained in his splendid and comprehensive autobiography: Shehu Shagari: beckoned to Serve.

His adulthood was similarly full of challenges, nestled between traditional, conservative socioeconomic and cultural norms/ experiences and modern sociocultural environment occassioned by colonial, post colonial and independence eras.

He played significant and prominent roles under different epochs of Nigeria’s evolutionary developments in all ramifications. These roles have been modestly documented in numerous publications relating to Nigeria’s history by leading authorities locally and internationally; including his own splendid comprehensive autobiography published by Heinemann, Educational Books Ibadan (Nigeria) in (2001).

From childhood to becoming the first democratically elected Executive President of Nigeria. Shehu Shagari’s legendary life history and legacies are intertwined by the past and contemporary historical developments of Nigeria; particularly from the 1940s, the civil war years (1966- 1970), 1970s and early 1980s. He joined politics in 1951. And in 1954 he got elected into Nigeria’s federal House of Representatives.

An abridged profile of the life and times of late shehu Shagari is as follows:

He stated his public career as a school Teacher (that is why he cherished being called *”Mallam” – Teacher* especially by his immediate family members and close friends and relatives); from primary school teacher he steadily climed to various high profile public offices culminating in becoming the first democratically elected Executive President of Nigeria twice but was overthrown on December 31st 1983 by a military coup d’etat upon starting his second term tenure in office.

A bief Profile of late President Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari:

Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari GCFR, (born February 25, 1925, served as the first democratically elected Executive President of Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979–1983), after the handover of power by General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military government.

Prio to his becoming president of Nigeria, Shagari also served seven times in ministerial and / or cabinet posts as a federal minister and federal commissioner ( minister ) from (1958–1975.)

Federal Commissioner for Finance (1971–1975.)

Federal Commissioner( minister ) for Economic Development, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (1970–1971.)

Federal Minister for Works (1965–1966.)

Federal Minister for internal affairs (1962–1965.)

Federal Minister for Pensions In office (1960–1962.)

Federal Minister for Economic Development (1959–1960.)

Federal Minister for Commerce and Industries In office (1958–1959.)

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Shagari was made the Turaki of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1962 by the late Sultan of Sokoto Sir Abubakar Siddiq Abubakar (III.)

He also holds the chieftaincy titles of the Ochiebuzo of Ogbaland, the Ezediale of Aboucha, and the Baba Korede of Ado Ekiti

Some of the legacies of Shehu Shagari’s Presidency:-

Shehu Shagari’s presidency left lasting impacts on Nigeria, with numerous tangible legacies that continue to be cherished and remembered to date; Some of his notable achievements include:
Infrastructure Development
Road Networks: Construction of major highways, such as the Initiation of the Badagry-Sokoto, Lagos-Kano, and Port Harcourt-Enugu roads, which improved connectivity across the country.
Seaports and Inland Ports: Development of seaports, including the Sapele Ports Complex and inland ports, such as the Onitsha River Port, to boost trade and commerce.
Airports

Construction of three new airports in Minna, Bauchi, and Akure, and acquisition of new aircraft for Nigerian Airways.

Education and Healthcare
New Universities and Institutions: Establishment of several universities of science and technology, federal polytechnics, and colleges of education, including the Federal University of Technology Yola and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
Mass Literacy Campaign: Launch of a mass literacy campaign in 1981, which aimed to reduce illiteracy rates across the country.

*Healthcare Infrastructure*

Construction of new tertiary hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country.

Economic Development
Ajaokuta Steel Mill: Initiation of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill project, which aimed to boost Nigeria’s industrialization and economic growth.
Kaduna Refinery: Completion of the Kaduna refinery, which increased Nigeria’s oil refining capacity.
Agricultural Development: Launch of the “Green Revolution” program, which aimed to increase agricultural productivity and reduce dependence on oil exports.
Social Development
Women and Youth Empowerment: Appointment of female ministers and diplomats, including Ebun Oyagbola as Minister of National Planning.

National Unity

Promotion of national unity and reconciliation, particularly after the Nigerian Civil War

Shagari was made the Turaki of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1962 by the late Sultan of Sokoto Sir Abubakar Siddiq Abubakar (III.)

He also holds the chieftaincy titles of the Ochiebuzo of Ogbaland, the Ezediale of Aboucha, and the Baba Korede of Ado Ekiti among others.

Overall, Shehu Shagari’s presidency had a significant impact on Nigeria’s development, and his legacies continue to be felt today.

Family members, friends, relatives, associates, and admirers across the country and elsewhere remember you today; 6 years after you returned to your creator. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and reward his good deeds abundantly with Aljanat Firdausi. Ameen Thumma Ameen. God bless.