Updated: Northern Nigeria mourns again as Senator Shagaya dies in ghastly accident

Updated: Northern Nigeria mourns again as Senator Shagaya dies in ghastly accident

It is another period of mourning as a former senator representing Plateau Southern, retired General John Nanzip Shagaya, has is reported dead following a ghastly motor accident on his way to Jos from his hometown, Langtang.

Multiple reports confirmed the incident quoting family sources as saying the incident happened on Sunday, February, 11.

The late General Shagaya was only recently appointed as the chairman of the National Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (NIPSS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari expressed sadness by the tragic accident.

A statement by Femi Adesina, a spokesperson to Buhari, said the president Buhari offered his condolences to the Shagaya family, friends, the government and people of Plateau state.

READ ALSO: Buhari loses 2 family members in quick succession - Presidency

“The president pays tribute to the great Nigerian whose legacies will live on in the patriotic work he did as a military officer who rose to the position of a general, and a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic that ably represented the Plateau southern zone.

“The president affirms that at each step of his distinguished career in national service and politics, Gen Shagaya brought his deep convictions and discipline to national, regional and community assignments and was ready to always offer his best to the development and stability of the country.

“President Buhari prays that God almighty will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest," Buhari said.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), hours after the incident, described the death of Shagaya as shocking.

The late Shagaya was the vice chairman of the board of trustees of the ACF.

In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Biu, the ACF described Shagaya as a committed patriot who would be remembered for his selfless service to his fatherland.

“Nigeria has lost one of its fineness politician, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life.

“ACF extends its condolences to the Shagaya family, the government and the good people of Plateau state and all Nigerians over the demise of Senator John N Shagaya. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” the forum added.

Shagaya died just about a year after he lost his wife, Pauline Tare Philomena a brief illness.

Daily Trust had reported that until her death, Pauline was a dame of the Anglican Church, an accomplished business woman and a lawyer and was survived by eight children and 13 grandchildren.

Daily Independent also reported that General Shagaya died around Kwol in Kanke local government secretariat just few kilometers from Langtang.

His remains have been moved to Jos mortuary

In an interview in 2016, Shagaya had spoken about the state of the nation in an interview he granted Vanguard in which he also praised the military government under which he served.

"The military managed the economy better. When I said a naira was exchanged for $2.2, it was a military administration and under Obasanjo and he had a sound economist, a lawyer and a financial adviser in the person of the late Obafemi Awolowo.

“Sound persons ran the economy of the country at that time. The economy died under a civilian administration,” he said.

In another interview in February, 2018, Shagaya said his father wanted him to become a pastor or teacher.

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“He wanted me to be a pastor or a teacher. He was a priest, a very gentleman and I had been given opportunity in Gindiri, on scholarship, he was very happy, I was also given scholarship in Kuru, and Keffi but when the military school examination came, I had resumed in Gindiri and I ran away without parental consent and of course my teachers’ consent,” he said.

He also noted that he was not returning to the Senate but would now mentor the younger generations of the country.

Legit.ng earlier reported how Alhaji Lawal Kaita, an elderstatesman in the northern part of Nigeria and former Governor of old Kaduna state, died.

Kaita, a blood relation of the late former President Umar Musa Yar'Adua and member of royal family of Nagogo, traditional rulers of the Emirate of Katsina, died in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, in the evening of Tuesday, January 2, aged 86.

How Nigeria got into serious mess - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng

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