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Senate Urges FG To Immortalise Shagari

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The Nigerian Senate has admonished the Federal government to name a national monument after Late President Shehu Shagari, in order to immortalize him.

The motion at the floor of the senate was spearheaded by Sen. Ibrahim Danbaba (PDP-Sokoto) and seconded by ten other senators.

Danbaba stated that the former president, while in power initiated numerous programmes in different sectors of the economy including, housing, agriculture, etc.

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“Shagari returned to his home town in 1986 and lived in the traditional house where he was born until the federal government provided him with a house in Sokoto.

“He had an unblemished public service record spanning over a period of 30 years.

“He was forthright, a nation builder and a distinguished statesman that contributed greatly to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

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The senator added that Nigeria, not just the family of the deceased have lost a rare gem in the person of the former president.

Other senators, who lend their voice in the call to immortalise Shagari, described him as a man of integrity.

The lawmaker, who said he had personal encounters with the deceased, said he was an honest man, who never allowed circumstances to distract him from his responsibilities.

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Sen. Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna) urged Nigerian leaders to emulate his patriotism and high moral values.

“Nigerians have attested to his character, conduct and personality.

“He exemplified honesty, courage and simplicity. He lived with honour and left with honour.

“He did not make so much noise about his integrity but it was seen from his stewardship and there is a lesson we should learn from this.

“We should learn from the way second republic leaders conducted themselves in the country,” he said.

In his response, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremade, who presided over plenary in the absence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, described Shagari was a national leader.

“He was a nationalist without boundaries, who lived in the heart of people. He lives in the minds and heart of the people no matter where they come from.

“That must be a lesson for all of us as leaders. One of his greatest attributes was his commitment to the unity of Nigeria.

“Even when he won an election with his party, he introduced the concept of a coalition to bring about national unity and he extended hand of fellowship to other political parties.

“I think that was his greatest contribution to the unity of the country,” he said.

Ekweremadu said he was a great leader who would be missed dearly.