The Federal Government will institute a suitable memorial to immortalize the country’s first Executive President, Shehu Shagari.
President Muhammadu Buhari made this known in Sokoto on Sunday while paying a condolence visit to the Shagari family.
In a letter to the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, read by the governor at the event, the President stated:
“I received the very sad news of the passing away of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This, indeed, is a grievous loss, which will be felt throughout Nigeria, irrespective of any difference. The late Alhaji Shagari was a landmark figure being virtually our last link to the post-independence government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , and the first elected Executive President of Nigeria.
“Please convey to his immediate family, the government and the people of Sokoto State my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of this great statesman.
“The Federal Government will in due course institute a suitable memorial to the late former President.
“May his soul rest in peace,” the statement read.
Shagari, aged 93, died on Friday, December 28 at the National Hospital, Abuja, at about 7pm, and was buried on Saturday at Shagari, his hometown.
Shagari was president from 1979 to 1983. He was removed via a coup d’etat that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power as military head of state, three months after he was sworn in for a second term.
