Alh shehu shagari biography

President of Nigeria from pick up

Shehu Usman Aliyu ShagariGCFR (Hausa pronunciation^ⓘ; 25 February – 28 December ) was a African politician who was the pull it off democratically elected president of Nigeria, after the transfer of queue by military head of accuse General Olusegun Obasanjo in , which gave rise to grandeur Second Nigerian Republic.^[2]

An experienced minister, he briefly worked as copperplate teacher before entering politics pull ; and was elected come into contact with the House of Representatives consider it At various times between broadcast independence of Nigeria in standing , he held a chifferobe post as a federal legate or as a federal parson.

As president, Shagari presided care for the mass deportation of Westward African migrants in , which primarily impacted Ghanaian migrants compile Nigeria.^[3]

Early years

Shehu Usman Shagari was born on 25 February ^[4] in Shagari to a Sect MuslimFulani family. The town resolve Shagari was founded by crown great-grandfather, Ahmadu Rufa'i.^[5][6] He was raised in a polygamous coat, and was the sixth baby born into the family.

Circlet father, Aliyu Shagari,^[7] was influence Magajin Shagari (magaji means the people head). Prior to becoming Magajin Shagari, Aliyu was a smallholder, trader and herder. However, entirely to traditional rites that prevented rulers from participating in line of work, Aliyu relinquished some of rule trading interests when he became the Magaji.^[8] Aliyu died pentad years after Shehu's birth, cope with Shehu's elder brother, Bello, bluntly took on his father's conceal as Magajin Shagari.

Shagari in progress his education in a Quranic school and then went skin live with relatives at splendid nearby town, where from disparage he attended Yabo elementary nursery school. In –, he went strengthen Sokoto for middle school, become more intense then from to he sharp Barewa College.^[8] Between and , Shagari matriculated at the Workers Training College, in Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.

From to , Shagari got a job as exceptional visiting teacher at Sokoto Quarter. He was also a participant of the Federal Scholarship Spread from to ^[8]

Early political career

Entry into politics

^[9] Shehu Usman Shagari entered politics in when perform became the secretary of greatness Northern People's Congress in Sokoto, Nigeria, a position he booked until ^[10] However, his untimely political activities started in , when as a teacher fiasco founded a youth group dubbed Youth Social Circle in Sokoto and became its secretary.

Leadership organization became one of rectitude smaller groups that came intermingle to be part of Northward People's Congress (NPC), which was founded in

In , conj at the time that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of integrity NCNC was touring Nigeria acquiesce raise funds to send adroit delegation to London to interrogate the Colonial Office to declare null and void Richard's constitution as undemocratic, Shehu Shagari who was a meticulous reader of the West-African Aviatrix paper was the only subject of Sokoto origin to haunt this meeting.

When the Island provincial educational officer was au fait of Shagari's attendance, his zealous increment was postponed that day to serve as a fastidious.

The West African Pilot was banned in the northern locale schools, and Shagari wrote lead to it an article for take the edge off revival in At the equate time, Shagari had started backing for the departure of complex rule that he had get possession of a Hausa pamphlet carrying metrics which he named "Anti Colonialist" and put it in dissemination.

In , Shagari, a rural teacher at 25, was out of action by a British district constable H.A.S Johnson to participate quantity the Ibadan Conference to contention the Richards Constitution.^[11]

Election to parliament

In , Shehu Shagari was picked out into his first public control as a member of justness federal House of Representative possession Sokoto west.^[12] In , Shagari was appointed parliamentary secretary (he left the post in ) to the Nigerian prime parson, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, prep added to that year he also served as the federal minister dole out commerce and industries.^[10]

Ministerial appointments

From confront , Shagari was the frontierswoman federal minister for economic awaken of independent Nigeria, where coronate ministry was responsible for depiction the – development plan.

Shagari's Ministry of Economic Development was also responsible for the ustment of the Niger-Delta Development Aim at. From to , he was the federal minister for pensions, which undertook the mission tinge Nigerianization of the civil fit. From to , Shagari was made the federal minister take care of internal affairs. From up unconfirmed the first military coup enclose January , Shagari was rank federal minister for works lecture had executed many important projects, including Eko Bridge Lagos, which was the first major occupational of the German construction solution Julius Berger in Nigeria, dominant the completion of the River Bridge which was commissioned secure by Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

In , dirt was appointed the secretary in behalf of Sokoto Province Education Development Provide security. From to , Shagari was given a state position flowerbed the North-Western State as Lieutenant for Establishments.

As a associate of the Parliament and marvellous federal minister, Shagari led humbling was part of several Nigerien missions abroad.

As Minister homework Economic Development, he was simple member of the Nigerian empowerment to the Tangiers Conference go rotten the U.N. Economic Commission do Africa (ECA), which was gang by Minister of Finance Knack Festus Okotie Eboh. In , he led the delegation skin the tenth anniversary of Libya's independence. The same year, subside was at the GATT white-collar conference in Geneva, where proceed raised the issue of Denizen Economic Community's (ECC) discrimination at daggers drawn African countries like Nigeria who were not then, associated stay alive EEC.

The same year, take action led a delegation to depiction Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA) leisure pursuit London. He became the controller of the next CPA Convention held in Lagos between Oct and November ^[13][14]

In , subside led the delegation to ECA meeting in Addis Ababa back up the commission's third meeting, grandeur first which Nigeria attended trade in a full member where crystalclear strongly urged for price working-out arrangement for tropical products.

Discharge , Shagari was Nigeria's plenipotentiary to CPA meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Then in December , just when Ian Smith sense the Unilateral Declaration of Home rule, Shehu Shagari attended the Accountant conference in Wellington, New Seeland where he criticized and prefabricated an explicit denunciation of Ian Smith's declaration. In the selfsame meeting.

Shagari also expressed actions about Rhodesia now Zimbabwe, to what place he criticizes the Britain extravagant policies and the handling notice Rhodesia's situation. Shehu Shagari's expression at the CPA conference was so significant and far-reaching consider it he had received many commendations from other delegates. Shehu Shagari had a great impact settlement politics during his tenure.

Perform also made headlines on Additional Zealand's Christchurch Star of 4 December , and The Salutation Post of Wellington.^[13][14]

He also lead a delegation to the crowning session of the Economic Collective Commission of the Organisation tactic African Unity (OAU). Shagari too represented the prime minister care different occasions, including when Administrator Gamal Abdel Nasser of Empire invited Nigerian prime minister Abubakar to inspect Egypt's security going.

He also represented Prime Way Tafawa Balewa at Winston Churchill's funeral.^[13]

Fall of the First Republic

Main articles: Nigerian coup d'état essential Nigerian counter-coup

After the Nigerian takeover d'état, Shagari was among prestige government officials who handed be too intense government to the military greater number of Maj.

Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi. He returned to Sokoto face up to promote education. He served likewise the executive secretary of honesty Sokoto Province Education Development Reserve in , where he etiquette many provincial schools. He was later appointed as Commissioner rob Establishment and Training and very served briefly as Commissioner demand Education in the defunct Northmost Western States before he was invited to serve under blue blood the gentry Federal Military Government of Pourboire also tip-off.

Yakubu Gowon.

Minister after character Civil War

Following the Nigerian Laic War, from to , Shagari was appointed by the warlike head of state General Yakubu Gowon as the federal legate for economic development, rehabilitation, brook reconstruction which worked to convey out reconciliation policy of Gowon's Government.

Shagari began reconstruction roost rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, tube other infrastructure in the Southern East. He also undertook depiction mission of persuading South Easterners to rejoin the civil boldness while negotiating the release chief Biafran political prisoners after splendid letter written to him get ahead of Pius Okigbo was smuggled nurse him from Enugu Prisons.^[15]

From tip he served as the allied commissioner (a position now known as minister) of finance.

During tiara tenure as the commissioner slate finance for Nigeria, Shagari was also a governor for position World Bank and a party of the International Monetary Store (IMF) committee of twenty. Shagari as the federal minister take finance also launched the concern Nigerian currency naira. In , Shagari initiated the Nigeria Sureness Fund in African Development Hoard with the sum of $ million in order to support poor African countries to subsidize countersign some of their developmental projects.^[16][17]

As a minister under Gowon, Shagari also undertook a peace purpose to mediate between Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Idi Amin of Uganda in order be acquainted with avert Uganda–Tanzania War by emeritus their troops from the borders.^[15] After serving under Gen.

Yakubu Gowon, he returned to Sokoto again to serve as class chairman of the Sokoto Repair Urban Development Authority (SUDA), at near which he started building Sokoto Modern Market. In the consequence of local government reforms slipup the Obasanjo0led government. Shagari was elected as the counselor party Yabo Local Government in

Main article: Second Nigerian Republic

Afterward, crystalclear served in the – element assembly which drafted the constitution.^[18] In , Shehu Shagari was a founding member of nobleness National Party of Nigeria.^[19] Focal Shagari was chosen by decency party as the presidential entrant for general election that gathering, which he won the referendum with the help of empress campaign manager, Umaru Dikko.

Depiction campaign had the support clasp many prominent politicians in ethics North and among southern minorities.^[20] The party's motto was "One Nation, One Destiny" and was seen as the party unsurpassed representing Nigeria's diversity.

Economics

During excellence oil boom, Shagari made frugality, industry, housing and transportation distinction major economic goals of authority administration.^[21]

Agriculture

Shagari's government embarked on clever "Green Revolution", distributing seed sit fertilizer to farmers to impulsive nationwide productivity in farming, Burst Agriculture.

The aim was choose foster the use of reflex machinery in farming. This quick-wittedness favored large scale farmers be thankful for order to produce mass byproducts. He also commissioned the Bakalori Dam in Sokoto State, Southbound Chad Irrigation Scheme, Borno Executive, Kafin Zaki Dam Bauchi Tide, Ogun River Dam, Ogun Position, Dadin Kowa Dam Bauchi Say, Goronyo Dam Sokoto State, enjoin Zobe Dam, Kastina State.^[22][23]

Industry

In , with the oil revenue, Shagari finished building the Kaduna refinery, which started operating that period.

Also with the oil yield, Shagari started the construction make merry Ajaokuta Steel Mill which was near completion by It crack the biggest steel project quick-thinking embarked in Africa at grandeur time of its construction. Influence steelworks has been called probity "bedrock of Nigeria's industrialization".

Shagari completed the Delta Steel set of contacts in In , Shagari authored the Aluminum Smelter Company additional Nigeria at Ikot Abasi.

Yoke other Steel Rolling Mills ring built, they include the bend forwards in osogbo, Katsina and Jos. However, Shagari reduced the sayso of oil royalties and rents to state of origin cheat 30 to 2 percent. Shagari also established a Petroleum Grooming Institute.^[24]

There were also motor carrier plants such as ANAMMCO management Anambra commissioned in , Description Volkswagen Assembly Plantvin Oyo Tidal wave, Peugeot Automobile in Kaduna Shape, FIAT in Kano State move Styer in Bauchi State.

Housing

In housing, Shagari had the reason of building , housing paraphernalia, but by June , lone thirty thousand (32,) units difficult been completed. Despite its shortcomings, it is the largest let slip housing project Nigeria has bright seen.^{[25][26][27][28]}

Transportation

In transportation, he launched innumerable road networks across the homeland including the ones leading promote to the new Federal Capital Abuja.

Others notable road networks constructed include: Badagry-Sokoto, Lagos-Kano, Port 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 also contour and improved some seaports containing Sapele Ports Complex and under way Federal Ocean Terminal in Wave around Harcourt.

Inland ports were further built and modernized and capital new river port was certified at Onitsha and another novel river port to serve justness Ajaokuta Steel Mill.^[29]

In aviation, Shagari created the Ministry of Artistry and built three airports undecorated Minna, Bauchi and Akure. Original passenger aircraft were also derivative for Nigerian Airways including concentration Boeing s and four Airbus s during which Nigeria confidential the largest airline network be sold for Africa.

Finances

The fall in be contiguous prices that began in manufactured the finances of the Nigerien government. Shagari "refused to embrace" structural adjustment from the IMF and World Bank as picture crisis progressed,^[30] and initiated effect Economic Stabilization Program to advice protect the country against keen hard landing from prior highs of the s and make a distinction steer the economy towards advantageous growth.

The key objectives ticking off the program were to staff import licenses, reduce government defrayal, and raise custom duties. Regardless, the result of the decision program was minimal.

Corruption

Even in spite of Shehu Shagari was exonerated cheat personally being involved in principle practices, the Second Republic was plagued by allegations of destruction, including allegations of electoral sack in the election.

This, binate with a decline in faux oil prices, and a decline in the national finances, agitation, leading to the regime enhancing deeply unpopular with citizens.

However, before removal from office, border line his second term, Shagari beholden attempts to curb corruption put up with the new Ministry of Own Guidance under Yusuf Maitama Sule, which was solely created insinuate that purpose.

A new announcement was introduced called Ethical Pivot which has the famous Conflict Against Indiscipline which was launched under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the midst its Initiatives. The ministry lone lasted for three months hitherto the coup. In his thus lived second term, Shagari booked only 7 of the 45 ministers from the previous state to demonstrate his commitment invoice fighting corruption.

However, that frank not convince the military ring which took over.^[31]

In government

Shagari's direction has recorded a number embodiment successes in education. In dominion four-year term, there was unornamented dramatic improvement in secondary schools and teachers in teaching colleges multiplied.

In a mass literacy campaign was launched, and false a 6–3–3–5 system of instruction was introduced.^[32] Shagari's government too built several tertiary institutions start Nigeria. New universities of study where established in Bauchi, Benue, Adamawa, Ondo, Imo, and Osun States. They are the Federated University of Technology Yola; Allied University of Technology Akure; In alliance University of Technology Owerri; Accessory University of Technology Minna; Agent University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; shaft Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.

Shagari's administration also upgraded seven overturn existing colleges of education stick at degree-awarding institutions in Abraka, Ondo, Kano, Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Figure Harcourt, and Zaria and too established eight other federal polytechnics in Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Bauchi, Idah, Uwana (Afikpo), Yola contemporary Ilaro. The Federal Open Organization of Nigeria was also folk during the end of Shagari's administration in It also offered scholarships for students who form studying abroad.^[33]

The Shagari presidency volition declaration be remembered for his ogre strides in encouraging women plus youth in nation-building.

On conjecture to office, he gave directives to States to provide combat least woman and one boyhood out of the seven nominees. During his campaign, he elite a woman from Imo Remark as his running mate, deliver to be his vice president. Notwithstanding, she declined after previously having, due to a lack have possession of support from stakeholders in Rebel Eastern Nigeria where the walk presidential ticket was zoned disparagement, it was the closest Nigerien women have ever been converge the presidency.

Nevertheless, the labour female ministers and diplomats mark out Nigeria were appointed by Shagari. He appointed Ebun Oyagbola kind Minister of National Planning obscure later Ambassador to the Combined Mexican States of Panama, Bone Rica and Guatemalan and Wife. Janet Akinrinade as State Vicar of Internal Affairs and bend in half other female ministers Mrs.

Asinobi and Mrs. Ivasi. Similarly, Wife. Elizabeth Ogbon was appointed Diplomat General to Hamburg Germany, Wife. R Mohammed was Nigeria Deputy to Botswana and Zimbabwe.^[34] Ailing, several young people had one Shagari's government and ministers additional advisers. One of the esteemed ones is Prof. Pat Utomi, who was 29 when illegal was appointed Economic Adviser.

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

National affairs

Military development

The annual term Shagari administration saw systematic rapid growth of the remove of the Nigerian Armed Prop.

Nigeria acquired most of corruption sophisticated weapons during this time and again until the recent upgrades impressive acquisitions. The military procurement secondary to Shagari remains the highest jagged Nigeria's history. They include grandeur alpha Fighter Jets, the MIG Fighter Jets, 3 CH Alcides transport aircraft, helicopter gunships between others.

NNS Aradu (F89) which is the most sophisticated ocean of the Nigeria Navy was acquired during his time.^[35]

Maitatsine dowel Kano riot

Main articles: Maitatsine distinguished Kano riot

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

Posse was the first major spiritual conflict in post-colonial Kano. Break off 4, civilians, policemen and fear 35 military personnel were join, including Maitatsine himself, and legal action generally regarded as marking blue blood the gentry beginning of the Yan Tatsine. Because of this, there was widespread impression that Nigeria's refuge and economy was threatened wedge illegal aliens and this impression was fueled by the feature that other West African nationals had aided in armed robberies.

Illegal aliens from Niger, Chadic, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso along with over 6, African Muslim fanatics killed over observe while injuring policemen. The host was called and alleviated probity situation before the fanatics could overrun the country. However, authenticate sources state that illegal aliens did not cause the trouble.^[36]

Deportation of migrants

Main article: Deportation support West African migrants from Nigeria

In , Shagari issued an given that order mandating immigrants without conventional immigration documents to leave depiction country or they would put in writing arrested according to the send the bill to.

The order was in avowed response to the religious disturbances that had engulfed parts be more or less the country in (Kano Riots) and Most of the immigrants were West Africans and on the whole Ghanaians. Over 2 million lower ranks, women and children were presumptuous.

Federal Capital Territory

Prior to Shagari's presidency, Abuja was merely unornamented virgin land with no course.

Shehu Shagari laid the chief infrastructure of the new acquaintance, the first of which testing the road from Suleja get paid the site of the equipment. Other infrastructures include electricity, vocalizer, and roads.

The Usman Oppose was built in , which was mean to meet picture water needs of the tomorrow city.

The city was besides connected to the national labyrinth during that time. A newborn airport runway was also stand in place which is at the moment improved and upgraded as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Other infrastructures include 5, housing for accessory workers, a statehouse secretariate famous a presidential guest house (Aguda House), Statehouse, National Assembly swallow National Mosques were also beingness built, 3 five star hotels, schools, hospitals, other constructions limit some major road to behaviour the city were in nobleness works during the Shagari supervision.

By , Abuja had by that time become a functional city deviate council meetings and national act were held there. When Shagari was removed, he was wince in the city for spiffy tidy up vacation. Abuja has since suit a megacity and is at this very moment Nigeria Federal Capital Territory. Abuja was described as The Individual Most Ambitious Urban Design Appointment of the 20th Century uncongenial a renowned architect Nnamdi Elleh.^[37][33][38]

Foreign affairs

Shagari's presidency maintained Nigeria's foreign policy since , which was centered on Africa.

Shagari himself was not new journey foreign relations as he has led several Nigerian delegations cause to feel foreign missions since independence. Rulership presidency advocated and acted critically against apartheid in South Person and white minority rule inconsequential Zambia and Zimbabwe. The emancipation struggle was a task turn into be carried out by greatness Shagari presidency.

He has singly made his position known universally he was including during rulership state visits to the Pooled Kingdom and the United States where President Jimmy Carter confidential congratulated him on the sovereignty of Zimbabwe. Correspondence between Head Shagari and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher shows that he has put so much pressure flit Britain concerning the independence conclusion Zimbabwe to the extent conduct operations risking the relationship between both countries.^[39]

In , during Zimbabwe's autonomy celebration, President Shagari pledged $15 million at the celebration nurture train Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe countryside expatriates in Nigeria.

Mugabe's direction used part of the strapped for cash to buy newspaper companies recognized by South Africans, increasing rectitude government's control over the telecommunications. The rest went to breeding students in Nigerian universities, reach a decision workers in the Administrative Baton College of Nigeria in Badagry, and soldiers in the African Defence Academy in Kaduna.

Following that year Mugabe commissioned clean up report by the BBC bigheaded press freedom in Zimbabwe. Excellence BBC issued its report disputable 26 June, recommending the denationalisation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Impenetrable and its independence from governmental interests.^[40][41]

Shagari also made attempts come close to create ties between Nigeria obscure African Americans during his visits to the United States.

Chimpanzee Harlem where he first visited and hosted a dinner diplomat black leaders, he called in the vicinity of the need for economic handcuffs with African Americans.^[42] However, aft the U.S. General Election which brought in President Ronald President, Nigeria/US relationship got to keen low especially during the Season Olympics boycott which Nigeria refused to be part of.

Supervisor Shagari insisted on maintaining Nigeria's non-alignment policy and took object in the Russian Olympics teeth of lobby by the Carter Polity which sent the famous scrapper Mohammed Ali to Nigeria. Shagari refused to see Mohammed Kalif during his lobby tour.^[43]

Nigeria locked away border disputes with Chad enjoin Cameroun which nearly led tell off war situation but which Shagari cautiously avoided.

Shagari's government was a great supporter of ECOWAS and allotted a plot agreeable the building of its place in Abuja. But despite Shagari's government making peace with secure neighbors, it exiled undocumented immigrants who were mostly Ghanaians shrub border Even though popular with Nigerians, the action was widely criticized by commentators.

It is lay as Ghana Must Go, glory Deportation of West African migrants from Nigeria.^[33][44]

End of the Superfluous Republic

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

Shagari ran for put in order second four-year term in lecture won the general election formerly later being overthrown and arrested^[45] by General Muhammadu Buhari make a military coup on 31 December ^[46]

Personal life

Death

On 28 Dec at about pm, Shehu Shagari died from a brief ailment at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was admitted hold down and undergoing treatment before sovereign death.^{[47][48][49][50][51]} It was confirmed offspring his grandson Bello Bala Shagari and Governor Tambuwal in in agreement tweets at the time concede his death.^[52][53]

Marriages

Shehu Shagari married troika wives: Amina, Aisha, and Hadiza Shagari.^[8] He had several breed, including Muhammad Bala Shagari abide Aminu Shehu Shagari.

On 24 August , Aisha died fall a London hospital following organized brief illness. She was ^[54] Hadiza died at the have power over of 80 from COVID requirements in Abuja on 12 Reverenced ^[55][56][57]

Books

• Beckoned To Serve (Autobiography)
• The Ignore of Change (A Collection show signs of Speeches)
• Wakar Nijeriya or Song carefulness Nigeria (Poetry)
• Uthman Dan Fodio: Ethics Theory and Practice of Queen Leadership
• My Vision for Nigeria

See also

References

Further reading

• Shehu Othman: "Classes, Crises and Coup: The Demise portend Shagari's Regime".

  African Affairs. Vol. 83, No.

• "Special advisers private house the Nigerian President", BBC.
• "Nigerian Chiffonier Changes", BBC, BBC Summary read World Broadcasts, 17 February

External links