Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari GCFR, born February 25, 1925 died yesterday December 28, 2018, was a Nigerian politician who 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. Shagari also served seven times in a ministerial or cabinet post as a federal minister and federal commissioner from 1958–1975. Following his death, several condolence messages from politicians and reactions from Nigerians have poured in on Twitter. See below:
On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Nigeria, it is with immense sadness that I received the news of the passing away of the first Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) December 29, 2018
President Shehu Usman Shagari was a completely detribalized Nigerian. He served Nigeria from his youth to the evening of his life, as a teacher & moulder of minds and later as a leader and moulder of nations.
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) December 28, 2018
The burial of the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari holds tomorrow 29th December 2019, by 2pm at Shagari Local Government Inshaa Allah.
— Bello Shagari (@Belshagy) December 28, 2018
Did you know Shehu Shagari succeeded Obafemi Awolowo as Nigeria’s Federal Commissioner (now Minister) for Finance when Awo resigned in 1971?
Before then he served as Fed Comm for:
– Economic Development
– Works
– Internal Affairs
– Pensions
– Commerce & Industries— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) December 28, 2018
Am still living in the house built by Shehu Shagari government. Your legacy will never be forgotten Sir.
May Your Gentle Soul Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/7f6tYS9PMF
— Aly Bunxa (@BunxaAly) December 28, 2018
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed sadness over the death of the first elected President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari who he described as “the last of the First and Second Republic titans.”https://t.co/QjWbxaUFsJ
— The Senate President (@SPNigeria) December 29, 2018
I met President Shehu Shagari at Dr Alex Ekwueme’s home. He was very soft spoken and humble. Nigeria would have gone far if he had not been overthrown. A great leader. He brought the Igbos back to prominence after the civil war by making one of them VP. May his soul rest in peace
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) December 28, 2018
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. pic.twitter.com/D9GR8vpkbT
— Aminu W. Tambuwal (@AWTambuwal) December 28, 2018
Former President Shehu Shagari has been announced dead after a brief illness at the National Hospital in Abuja pic.twitter.com/DJF4BFhMoS
— Abubakar Sidiq Usman (@MrAbuSidiq) December 28, 2018
Inalilahi wa inailehi Rajiun.
My family and I join the entire nation to mourn the passing of former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who led our nation during the Second Republic. pic.twitter.com/530J4kn9eS
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 28, 2018
Shagy…My dad has been calling like crazy in the last hour. Missed calls. Turakin was his BOSS! I made my own tribute o. This picture is in our living room. Watch my video and oya SMILE?? He was our gem in Nigeria. More tributes on my page.#RIP His EXCELLENCY Shehu Shagari? pic.twitter.com/ImCgNSn4Y1
— Nigerian Journalist Kemi Olunloyo (@HNNAfrica) December 28, 2018
Innallilahi wainnailahi rajiuun. I just received the sad news of the passing away my Grandfather, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Please say a prayer for him. pic.twitter.com/4m0AW3vf8o
— Aliyu. (@Aliyushagari_) December 28, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the former President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, GCFR. Baba was an outstanding politician who devoted his entire life to serving our great country. A great patriot of the highest order and public servant of a rarest courage. pic.twitter.com/EmwtoMJfyC
— Governor Dankwambo (@HEDankwambo) December 28, 2018
We commiserate with the families of HE Alhaji Shehu Shagari on the loss of their patriarch and our former President. May God grant him eternal rest even as we the citizens learn daily to be the things we loved most about the people who are gone. #RIP pic.twitter.com/o0KxcQLyBY
— SEGA L’éveilleur®? (@segalink) December 28, 2018
Follow the Trend “Shagari” on Twitter to read out more.
