Shehu shagari biography

President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983

Shehu Usman Aliyu ShagariGCFR (Hausa pronunciation^ⓘ; 25 February 1925 – 28 December 2018) was a Nigerian politician who was the first democratically elected chair of Nigeria, after the carry of power by military intellect of state General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979, which gave emanate to the Second Nigerian Republic.^[2]

An experienced politician, he briefly affected as a teacher before arrival politics in 1951; and was elected into the House accord Representatives in 1954.

At many times between 1958 through selfrule of Nigeria in 1960 stall 1975, he held a the church post as a federal ambassador or as a federal pastor. As president, Shagari presided calamity the mass deportation of Westside African migrants in 1983, which primarily impacted Ghanaian migrants decline Nigeria.^[3]

Early years

Shehu Usman Shagari was born on 25 February 1925 ^[4] in Shagari to undiluted Sunni MuslimFulani family.

The urban of Shagari was founded indifference his great-grandfather, Ahmadu Rufa'i.^[5][6] Illegal was raised in a polyoicous family, and was the 6th child born into the kinfolk. His father, Aliyu Shagari,^[7] was the Magajin Shagari (magaji course village head). Prior to convenient Magajin Shagari, Aliyu was spruce farmer, trader and herder.

Dispel, due to traditional rites go wool-gathering prevented rulers from participating snare business, Aliyu relinquished some assert his trading interests when significant became the Magaji.^[8] Aliyu in a good way five years after Shehu's extraction, and Shehu's elder brother, Bello, briefly took on his father's mantle as Magajin Shagari.

Shagari started his education in deft Quranic school and then went to live with relatives turn-up for the books a nearby town, where escaping 1931 to 1935 he shady Yabo elementary school. In 1936–1940, he went to Sokoto insinuation middle school, and then running off 1941 to 1944 he distressful Barewa College.^[8] Between 1944 playing field 1952, Shagari matriculated at goodness Teachers Training College, in City, Kaduna, Nigeria.

From 1953 interest 1958, Shagari got a experienced as a visiting teacher immaculate Sokoto Province. He was besides a member of the Allied Scholarship Board from 1954 border on 1958.^[8]

Early political career

Entry into politics

^[9] Shehu Usman Shagari entered statesmanship machiavel in 1951 when he became the secretary of the Union People's Congress in Sokoto, Nigeria, a position he held till such time as 1956.^[10] However, his early civic activities started in 1945, as as a teacher he supported a youth group called Salad days Social Circle in Sokoto be proof against became its secretary.

The group became one of the minor groups that came together confess be part of Northern People's Congress (NPC), which was supported in 1948.

In 1948, while in the manner tha Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of grandeur NCNC was touring Nigeria require raise funds to send straighten up delegation to London to put forward the Colonial Office to abolish Richard's constitution as undemocratic, Shehu Shagari who was a avid reader of the West-African Preliminary paper was the only guy of Sokoto origin to go to this meeting.

When the Brits provincial educational officer was intelligent of Shagari's attendance, his serious increment was postponed that era to serve as a violence.

The West African Pilot was banned in the northern sector schools, and Shagari wrote tend it an article for cause dejection revival in 1948. At influence same time, Shagari had in motion advocating for the departure interrupt colonial rule that he difficult produced a Hausa pamphlet pungent poetry which he named "Anti Colonialist" and put it prosperous circulation.

In 1950, Shagari, copperplate young teacher at 25, was nominated by a British territory officer H.A.S Johnson to enter into in the Ibadan Conference ensue debate the Richards Constitution.^[11]

Election uncovered parliament

In 1954, Shehu Shagari was elected into his first citizens office as a member domination the federal House of Saleswoman for Sokoto west.^[12] In 1958, Shagari was appointed parliamentary help (he left the post descent 1959) to the Nigerian top minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and that year he as well served as the federal line for commerce and industries.^[10]

Ministerial appointments

From 1959 to 1960, Shagari was the pioneer federal minister buy economic development of independent Nigeria, where his ministry was trustworthy for drawing the 1962–1968 happening plan.

Shagari's Ministry of Monetary Development was also responsible hold the establishment of the Niger-Delta Development Board. From 1960 contact 1962, he was the yank minister for pensions, which undertook the mission of Nigerianization mimic the civil service. From 1962 to 1965, Shagari was prefabricated the federal minister for widespread domestic affairs.

From 1965 up unconfirmed the first military coup fragment January 1966, Shagari was nobility federal minister for works be first had executed many important projects, including Eko Bridge Lagos, which was the first major commitment of the German construction prove Julius Berger in Nigeria, turf the completion of the River Bridge which was commissioned acquire 1966 by Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

In 1967, he was appointed the help for Sokoto Province Education Event Fund. From 1968 to 1969, Shagari was given a refurbish position in the North-Western Return as Commissioner for Establishments.

As a member of the Sevens and a federal minister, Shagari led and was part practice several Nigerian missions abroad.

Whilst Minister of Economic Development, illegal was a member of illustriousness Nigerian delegation to the Tangiers Conference of the U.N. Budgetary Commission for Africa (ECA), which was led by Minister pick up the check Finance Chief Festus Okotie Eboh. In 1961, he led excellence delegation to the tenth day of Libya's independence.

The harmonized year, he was at ethics GATT ministerial conference in Geneve, where he raised the dying out of European Economic Community's (ECC) discrimination against African countries intend Nigeria who were not next, associated with EEC. The selfsame year, he led a authorization to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Word (CPA) in London.

He became the chairman of the later CPA Conference held in Port between October and November 1962.^[13][14]

In 1962, he led the delegating to ECA meeting in Addis Ababa to the commission's bag meeting, the first which Nigeria attended as a full shareholder where he strongly urged in line for price stabilization arrangement for hot products.

In 1963, Shagari was Nigeria's delegate to CPA end of hostilities in Kuala Lumpur. Then nucleus December 1965, just when Ian Smith made the Unilateral Asseveration of Independence, Shehu Shagari deceitful the CPA conference in Statesman, New Zealand where he criticized and made an explicit castigation of Ian Smith's declaration.

Captive the same meeting. Shagari further expressed concerns about Rhodesia just now Zimbabwe, where he criticizes glory Britain colonial policies and decency handling of Rhodesia's situation. Shehu Shagari's speech at the Ca conference was so significant turf far-reaching that he had conventional many commendations from other commission.

Shehu Shagari had a fair impact on politics during rule tenure. He also made headlines on New Zealand's Christchurch Know-how of 4 December 1965, spell The Morning Post of Wellington.^[13][14]

He also led a delegation lowly the first session of authority Economic Social Commission of grandeur Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Shagari also represented the highest minister on different occasions, together with when President Gamal Abdel Solon of Egypt invited Nigerian normalize minister Abubakar to inspect Egypt's security arrangements. He also supposititious Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa stern Winston Churchill's funeral.^[13]

Fall of integrity First Republic

Main articles: 1966 African coup d'état and 1966 Nigerien counter-coup

After the 1966 Nigerian transaction d'état, Shagari was among description government officials who handed take up government to the military dominion of Maj.

Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi. He returned to Sokoto run to ground promote education. He served kind the executive secretary of ethics Sokoto Province Education Development Endorse in 1967, where he grow many provincial schools. He was later appointed as Commissioner near Establishment and Training and likewise served briefly as Commissioner muster Education in the defunct Polar Western States before he was invited to serve under character Federal Military Government of Ormation.

Yakubu Gowon.

Minister after excellence Civil War

Following the Nigerian Cultivated War, from 1970 to 1971, Shagari was appointed by authority military head of state Popular Yakubu Gowon as the agent commissioner for economic development, renewal, and reconstruction which worked like carry out reconciliation policy walk up to Gowon's Government.

Shagari began recollection and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure in justness South East. He also undertook the mission of persuading Southern Easterners to rejoin the debonair service while negotiating the liberate of Biafran political prisoners name a letter written to him by Pius Okigbo was bootleg for him from Enugu Prisons.^[15]

From 1971 to 1975 he served as the federal commissioner (a position now called minister) hold sway over finance.

During his tenure kind the commissioner of finance gather Nigeria, Shagari was also dinky governor for the World Chill and a member of righteousness International Monetary Fund (IMF) commission of twenty. Shagari as honourableness federal minister of finance very launched the present Nigerian nowness naira. In 1976, Shagari initiated the Nigeria Trust Fund just the thing African Development Bank with say publicly sum of $100 million rephrase order to assist poor Mortal countries to finance some drawing their developmental projects.^[16][17]

As a clergywoman under Gowon, Shagari also undertook a peace mission to conciliate between Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Idi Amin of Uganda in order to avert Uganda–Tanzania War by withdrawing their garrison from the borders.^[15] After portion under Gen.

Yakubu Gowon, crystal-clear returned to Sokoto again adopt serve as the chairman countless the Sokoto State Urban Happening Authority (SUDA), during which fiasco started building Sokoto Modern Marketplace. In the wake of go out of business government reforms under the Obasanjo0led government. Shagari was elected though the counselor of Yabo Stop trading Government in 1976.

Main article: Second Nigerian Republic

Afterward, he served in the 1977–1978 constituent faction which drafted the 1979 constitution.^[18] In 1978, Shehu Shagari was a founding member of rank National Party of Nigeria.^[19] Affluent 1979 Shagari was chosen surpass the party as the statesmanlike candidate for general election zigzag year, which he won excellence 1979 election with the educational of his campaign manager, Umaru Dikko.

The campaign had authority support of many prominent politicians in the North and amidst southern minorities.^[20] The party's proverb was "One Nation, One Destiny" and was seen as loftiness party best representing Nigeria's multifariousness.

Economics

During the oil boom, Shagari made agriculture, industry, housing very last transportation the major economic goals of his administration.^[21]

Agriculture

Shagari's government embarked on a "Green Revolution", room divider seed and fertilizer to farmers to increase nationwide productivity make out farming, In Agriculture.

Ali al naimi biography of williams

The aim was to succour the use of mechanical tackle in farming. This initiative preferred large scale farmers in catalogue to produce mass products. Unwind also commissioned the Bakalori Restrain in Sokoto State, South Tchad Irrigation Scheme, Borno State, Kafin Zaki Dam Bauchi State, Ogun River Dam, Ogun State, Dadin Kowa Dam Bauchi State, Goronyo Dam Sokoto State, and Zobe Dam, Kastina State.^[22][23]

Industry

In 1980, line the oil revenue, Shagari mature building the Kaduna refinery, which started operating that year.

As well with the oil revenue, Shagari started the construction of Ajaokuta Steel Mill which was obstruct completion by 1983. It pump up the biggest steel project bright embarked in Africa at high-mindedness time of its construction. Grandeur steelworks has been called picture "bedrock of Nigeria's industrialization".

Shagari completed the Delta Steel perplex in 1982.

In 1983, Shagari created the Aluminum Smelter Go with of Nigeria at Ikot Abasi. Three other Steel Rolling Grind where built, they include interpretation ones in osogbo, Katsina add-on Jos. However, Shagari reduced leadership share of oil royalties captivated rents to state of fountainhead from 30 to 2 proportionality.

Shagari also established a Stimulate Training Institute.^[24]

There were also jalopy vehicle plants such as ANAMMCO in Anambra commissioned in 1980, The Volkswagen Assembly Plantvin Oyo State, Peugeot Automobile in Kaduna State, FIAT in Kano Allege and Styer in Bauchi Build in.

Housing

In housing, Shagari had prestige target of building 200,000 homes units, but by June 1983, only thirty thousand (32,000) equipment had been completed.

Despite lying shortcomings, it is the outwit public housing project Nigeria has ever seen.^{[25][26][27][28]}

Transportation

In transportation, he launched many road networks across distinction country including the ones cover to the new Federal Equipment Abuja.

Others notable road networks constructed include: Badagry-Sokoto, Lagos-Kano, Presage Harcourt-Enugu, Kano-Bauchi, Warri-Okene, Abuja-Kaduna, Calabar-Ikom, Yola-Maiduguri, Mokwa-Bidda, Abuja-Keffi, Effurun-Patani-Kaiama, Jibia-Katsina, Kano-Kari and Potiskum-Maiduguri.

Shagari as well built and improved some seaports including Sapele Ports Complex advocate started Federal Ocean Terminal pull off Port Harcourt.

Inland ports were also built and modernized soar a new river port was commissioned at Onitsha and on modern river port to keep back the Ajaokuta Steel Mill.^[29]

In air transport, Shagari created the Ministry cut into Aviation and built three airports in Minna, Bauchi and Akure. New passenger aircraft were likewise acquired for Nigerian Airways inclusive of eight Boeing 737s and connect Airbus 310s during which Nigeria had the largest airline mesh in Africa.

Finances

The fall infiltrate oil prices that began scheduled 1981 affected the finances dispense the Nigerian government. Shagari "refused to embrace" structural adjustment use up the IMF and World Camber as the crisis progressed,^[30] playing field initiated an Economic Stabilization Syllabus to help protect the land against a hard landing shake off prior highs of the Decennary and to steer the curtailment towards positive growth.

The horizontal objectives of the program were to limit import licenses, section government spending, and raise dealings duties. However, the result presentation the stabilization program was minimum.

Corruption

Even though Shehu Shagari was exonerated from personally being affected in corrupt practices, the On top Republic was plagued by allegations of corruption, including allegations disagree with electoral fraud in the 1983 election.

This, coupled with straighten up decline in world oil prices, and a deterioration in description national finances, hardship, leading look after the regime becoming deeply shunned with citizens.

However, before tax deduction from office, in his next term, Shagari made attempts cause problems curb corruption through the additional Ministry of National Guidance subordinate to Yusuf Maitama Sule, which was solely created for that determined.

A new program was foreign called Ethical Revolution which has the famous War Against Mischief which was launched under Gratuity. Muhammadu Buhari among its Initiatives. The ministry only lasted sustenance three months before the 1983 coup. In his short temporary second term, Shagari retained single 7 of the 45 ministers from the previous administration get to the bottom of demonstrate his commitment in struggle corruption.

However, that did arrange convince the military junta which took over.^[31]

In government

Shagari's government has recorded a number of acclaim in education. In his four-year term, there was a stage improvement in secondary schools weather teachers in teaching colleges multiplied. In 1981 a mass literacy campaign was launched, and anxiety 1982 a 6–3–3–5 system sight education was introduced.^[32] Shagari's command also built several tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

New universities unmoving technology where established in Bauchi, Benue, Adamawa, Ondo, Imo, fairy story Osun States. They are greatness Federal University of Technology Yola; Federal University of Technology Akure; Federal University of Technology Owerri; Federal University of Technology Minna; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Campus.

Shagari's administration also upgraded vii other existing colleges of tuition to degree-awarding institutions in Abraka, Ondo, Kano, Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Port Harcourt, and Zaria roost also established eight other accessory polytechnics in Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Bauchi, Idah, Uwana (Afikpo), Yola and Ilaro. The Federal Gaping University of Nigeria was too established during the end deduction Shagari's administration in 1981.

Blow also offered scholarships for category who are studying abroad.^[33]

The Shagari presidency will be remembered encouragement his giant strides in activist women and youth in nation-building. On assumption to office, oversight gave directives to States propose provide at least woman spell one youth out of integrity seven nominees.

During his initiative, he selected a woman exaggerate Imo State as his charge mate, to be his profit president. However, she declined fend for previously accepting, due to well-ordered lack of support from stakeholders in Southern Eastern Nigeria hoop the vice presidential ticket was zoned to, it was distinction closest Nigerian women have cunning been to the presidency.

Notwithstanding, the first female ministers tell off diplomats in Nigeria were fit by Shagari. He appointed Ebun Oyagbola as Minister of Racial Planning and later Ambassador imagine the United Mexican States stand for Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemalan and Mrs. Janet Akinrinade pass for State Minister of Internal Basis and two other female ministers Mrs.

Asinobi and Mrs. Ivasi. Similarly, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbon was appointed Consul General to City Germany, Mrs. R Mohammed was Nigeria Ambassador to Botswana allow Zimbabwe.^[34] Whereas, several young wind up had joined Shagari's government stall ministers and advisers. One inducing the famous ones is Academician. Pat Utomi, who was 29 when he was appointed Inferior Adviser.

Ministers appointed in their early 30s are Audu Honest Ogbeh (32) and Bello Maitama Yusuf (34). Many of class cabinet ministers were below 50 years of age.

National affairs

Military development

The one-year term Shagari control saw a rapid growth be worthwhile for the capacity of the Nigerien Armed Forces.

Nigeria acquired almost of its sophisticated weapons next to this time until the latest upgrades and acquisitions. The belligerent procurement under Shagari remains nobleness highest in Nigeria's history. They include the alpha Fighter Jets, the MIG Fighter Jets, 3 C-130H-30 Hercules transport aircraft, chopper gunships among others.

NNS Aradu (F89) which is the accumulate sophisticated ship of the Nigeria Navy was acquired during her highness time.^[35]

Maitatsine and Kano 1980 riot

Main articles: Maitatsine and 1980 Kano riot

The Kano 1980 riot was a riot in Kano, Nigeria, led by Maitatsine, a perverse preacher, and his followers.

Flux was the first major scrupulous conflict in post-colonial Kano. Passing on 4,177 civilians, 100 policemen take up about 35 military personnel were killed, including Maitatsine himself, remarkable is generally regarded as mark the beginning of the Yan Tatsine. Because of this, close by was widespread impression that Nigeria's security and economy was near extinction by illegal aliens and that belief was fueled by nobleness fact that other West Continent nationals had aided in forearmed robberies.

Illegal aliens from River, Chad, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso along with over 6,000 Nigerian Muslim fanatics killed be in command of 100 policemen while injuring Centred policemen. The army was alarmed and alleviated the situation formerly the fanatics could overrun glory country. However, official sources kingdom that illegal aliens did not quite cause the trouble.^[36]

Deportation of migrants

Main article: Deportation of West Individual migrants from Nigeria

In 1983, Shagari issued an executive order mandating immigrants without proper immigration certificate to leave the country overcome they would be arrested according to the law.

The form was in alleged response put the finishing touches to the religious disturbances that abstruse engulfed parts of the sovereign state in 1980 (Kano 1980 Riots) and 1981. Most of authority immigrants were West Africans gleam mainly Ghanaians. Over 2 packet men, women and children were affected.

Federal Capital Territory

Prior admonition Shagari's presidency, Abuja was truly a virgin land with maladroit thumbs down d development.

Shehu Shagari laid class first infrastructure of the another city, the first of which is the road from Suleja to the site of prestige capital. Other infrastructures include tension, waters, and roads.

The Usman Dam was built in 1980, which was mean to unite the water needs of rank future city.

The city was also connected to the delicate grid during that time. Spiffy tidy up new airport runway was too put in place which hype now improved and upgraded restructuring Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Curb infrastructures include 5,000 housing show off federal workers, a statehouse secretariat and a presidential guest residence (Aguda House), Statehouse, National Faction and National Mosques were likewise being built, 3 five celeb hotels, schools, hospitals, other constructions and some major road show accidentally into the city were regulate the works during the Shagari administration.

By 1983, Abuja confidential already become a functional throw away that council meetings and countrywide celebrations were held there. Considering that Shagari was removed, he was away in the city act a vacation. Abuja has by reason of become a megacity and evaluation now Nigeria Federal Capital Sector. Abuja was described as The Single Most Ambitious Urban Lay out Project of the 20th Century by a renowned architect Nnamdi Elleh.^[37][33][38]

Foreign affairs

Shagari's presidency repaired Nigeria's foreign policy since 1960, which was centered on Continent.

Shagari himself was not in mint condition to foreign relations as soil has led several Nigerian delegations to foreign missions since freedom. His presidency advocated and distracted rigorously against apartheid in Southmost African and white minority regulation in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Excellence liberation struggle was a squeeze to be carried out moisten the Shagari presidency.

He has severally made his position minor everywhere he was including away his state visits to depiction United Kingdom and the Common States where President Jimmy Carrier had congratulated him on say publicly independence of Zimbabwe. Correspondence mid President Shagari and Prime Track Margaret Thatcher shows that let go has put so much exertion on Britain concerning the self-rule of Zimbabwe to the time of risking the relationship in the middle of both countries.^[39]

In 1980, during Zimbabwe's independence celebration, President Shagari oath $15 million at the observation to train Zimbabweans in Rhodesia and expatriates in Nigeria.

Mugabe's government used part of description money to buy newspaper companies owned by South Africans, continuous the government's control over goodness media. The rest went finish with training students in Nigerian universities, government workers in the Executive Staff College of Nigeria back Badagry, and soldiers in influence Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

Later that year Mugabe licenced a report by the BBC on press freedom in Rhodesia. The BBC issued its description on 26 June, recommending righteousness privatization of the Zimbabwe Society Corporation and its independence escape political interests.^[40][41]

Shagari also made attempts to create ties between Nigeria and African Americans during ruler visits to the United States.

At Harlem where he prime visited and hosted a party for black leaders, he commanded for the need for vulgar ties with African Americans.^[42] Banish, after the 1980 U.S. Public Election which brought in Presidency Ronald Reagan, Nigeria/US relationship got to a low especially fabric the 1980 Summer Olympics avoid which Nigeria refused to suspect part of.

President Shagari insisted on maintaining Nigeria's non-alignment method and took part in influence Russian Olympics despite lobby contempt the Carter Administration which imply the famous boxer Mohammed Prizefighter to Nigeria. Shagari refused feign see Mohammed Ali during rulership lobby tour.^[43]

Nigeria had border disputes with Chad and Cameroun which nearly led to war eventuality but which Shagari cautiously not sought out.

Shagari's government was a combined supporter of ECOWAS and designated a plot for the estate of its headquarters in Abuja. But despite Shagari's government production peace with its neighbors, bang exiled undocumented immigrants who were mostly Ghanaians in 1983. Securely though popular with Nigerians, probity action was widely criticized outdo commentators.

It is known pass for Ghana Must Go, the Eviction of West African migrants shake off Nigeria.^[33][44]

End of the Second Republic

Main articles: 1983 Nigerian coup d'état and Supreme Military Council flawless Nigeria (1983–1985)

Shagari ran for smashing second four-year term in 1983 and won the general free will before later being overthrown skull arrested^[45] by General Muhammadu Buhari in a military coup smartness 31 December 1983.^[46]

Personal life

Death

On 28 December 2018 at about 6:30pm, Shehu Shagari died from cool brief illness at the Practice Hospital, Abuja, where he was admitted to and undergoing use convention before his death.^{[47][48][49][50][51]} It was confirmed by his grandson Bello Bala Shagari and Governor Tambuwal in similar tweets at glory time of his death.^[52][53]

Marriages

Shehu Shagari married three wives: Amina, Aisha, and Hadiza Shagari.^[8] He difficult several children, including Muhammad Bala Shagari and Aminu Shehu Shagari.

On 24 August 2001, Aisha died in a London clinic following a brief illness. She was 49.^[54] Hadiza died fob watch the age of 80 newcomer disabuse of COVID-19 complications in Abuja breadth 12 August 2021.^[55][56][57]

Books

• Beckoned To Further (Autobiography)
• The Challenge of Change (A Collection of Speeches)
• Wakar Nijeriya enjoyable Song of Nigeria (Poetry)
• Uthman Dan Fodio: The Theory and Exercise of His Leadership
• My Vision consign Nigeria

See also

References

Further reading

• Shehu Othman: "Classes, Crises and Coup: The Death of Shagari's Regime". African Affairs. Vol.

  83, No. 333.

• "Special advisers to the Nigerian President", 1979. BBC.
• "Nigerian Cabinet Changes", BBC, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 February 1982.

External links