Former Nigeria president Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari has died at the age of 93 after a brief illness.
His grandson, Bello Shagari, discloed the passing of his grandfather on Twitter on Friday, 28 December.
“I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja,” he wrote.
I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja.
— Bello Shagari (@Belshagy) December 28, 2018
Shagari served as the first and only President of Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979–1983), after the handover of power by General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military government.
He also served seven times in a ministerial or cabinet post as a federal minister and federal commissioner from 1958–1975.
Shagari was made the Turaki of the Fula Sokoto Caliphate in 1962 by the Sultan of Sokoto Siddiq Abubakar III.
Turaki means an officer at court, in this case referring to the sultan’s court at the palace of Sokoto.
In addition, he also holds the chieftaincy titles of the Ochiebuzo of Ogbaland, the Ezediale of Aboucha and the Baba Korede of Ado Ekiti.
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He worked as a teacher for a brief period before entering politics in 1951 and in 1954 was elected to the federal House of Representatives.
At 93, he was the oldest living former Nigerian president.
Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal has eulogised Shagari after his passing.
“I regret to Announce the death of former President Shehu Shagari who just passed away at National Hospital Abuja. May his Soul Rest in Peace,” he tweeted.
