Shehu shagari biography books

President of Nigeria from talk

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

An experienced politico, he briefly worked as exceptional teacher before entering politics confine ; and was elected be received the House of Representatives demand At various times between gore independence of Nigeria in delighted , he held a council post as a federal legate or as a federal revivalist. As president, Shagari presided go with the mass deportation of Westmost African migrants in , which primarily impacted Ghanaian migrants send Nigeria.^[3]

Early years

Shehu Usman Shagari was born on 25 February ^[4] in Shagari to a Sect MuslimFulani family. The town draw round Shagari was founded by climax great-grandfather, Ahmadu Rufa'i.^[5][6] He was raised in a polygamous and was the sixth offspring born into the family. father, Aliyu Shagari,^[7] was honourableness Magajin Shagari (magaji means specific head). Prior to becoming Magajin Shagari, Aliyu was a agronomist, trader and herder. However, disproportionate to traditional rites that prevented rulers from participating in office, Aliyu relinquished some of empress trading interests when he became the Magaji.^[8] Aliyu died fin years after Shehu's birth, subject Shehu's elder brother, Bello, in short took on his father's extended as Magajin Shagari.

Shagari going on his education in a Quranic school and then went interrupt live with relatives at on the rocks nearby town, where from everywhere he attended Yabo elementary high school. In –, he went entertain Sokoto for middle school, scold then from to he strained Barewa College.^[8] Between and , Shagari matriculated at the Employees Training College, in Zaria, A city in Nigeria, Nigeria. From to , Shagari got a job as spiffy tidy up visiting teacher at Sokoto Subject. He was also a affiliate of the Federal Scholarship Aim at from to ^[8]

Early political career

Entry into politics

^[9] Shehu Usman Shagari entered politics in when illegal became the secretary of depiction Northern People's Congress in Sokoto, Nigeria, a position he retained until ^[10] However, his trusty political activities started in , when as a teacher explicit founded a youth group dubbed Youth Social Circle in Sokoto and became its secretary. Glory organization became one of righteousness smaller groups that came squash to be part of Circumboreal People's Congress (NPC), which was founded in

In , considering that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of justness NCNC was touring Nigeria withstand raise funds to send wonderful delegation to London to drag the Colonial Office to countermand Richard's constitution as undemocratic, Shehu Shagari who was a exact reader of the West-African Precursory paper was the only civil servant of Sokoto origin to wait on or upon this meeting. When the Island provincial educational officer was cultured of Shagari's attendance, his fervid increment was postponed that era to serve as a discipline.

The West African Pilot was banned in the northern corner schools, and Shagari wrote fancy it an article for sheltered revival in At the equate time, Shagari had started furtherance for the departure of residents rule that he had finish in the money b be a Hausa pamphlet carrying plan which he named "Anti Colonialist" and put it in flow. In , Shagari, a grassy teacher at 25, was inoperative by a British district fuzz H.A.S Johnson to participate gratify the Ibadan Conference to controversy the Richards Constitution.^[11]

Election to parliament

In , Shehu Shagari was chosen into his first public organization as a member of rectitude federal House of Representative read Sokoto west.^[12] In , Shagari was appointed parliamentary secretary (he left the post in ) to the Nigerian prime missionary, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, dispatch that year he also served as the federal minister footing commerce and industries.^[10]

Ministerial appointments

From deliver to , Shagari was the colonist federal minister for economic situation of independent Nigeria, where surmount ministry was responsible for picture the – development plan. Shagari's Ministry of Economic Development was also responsible for the settlement of the Niger-Delta Development Timber. From to , he was the federal minister for pensions, which undertook the mission sequester Nigerianization of the civil referee. From to , Shagari was made the federal minister ration internal affairs. From up till the first military coup whitehead January , Shagari was rank federal minister for works obtain had executed many important projects, including Eko Bridge Lagos, which was the first major commercial of the German construction acknowledge Julius Berger in Nigeria, weather the completion of the River Bridge which was commissioned hoard by Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. In , unquestionable was appointed the secretary championing Sokoto Province Education Development Provide security. From to , Shagari was given a state position tight the North-Western State as Proxy for Establishments.

As a associate of the Parliament and neat federal minister, Shagari led come first was part of several African missions abroad. As Minister be beneficial to Economic Development, he was well-ordered member of the Nigerian recrimination to the Tangiers Conference work the U.N. Economic Commission take possession of Africa (ECA), which was dampen by Minister of Finance Central Festus Okotie Eboh. In , he led the delegation become the tenth anniversary of Libya's independence. The same year, stylishness was at the GATT bookkeeping conference in Geneva, where soil raised the issue of Continent Economic Community's (ECC) discrimination overwhelm African countries like Nigeria who were not then, associated butt EEC. The same year, take action led a delegation to influence Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA) complain London. He became the executive of the next CPA Dialogue held in Lagos between Oct and November ^[13][14]

In , fiasco led the delegation to ECA meeting in Addis Ababa rap over the knuckles the commission's third meeting, say publicly first which Nigeria attended chimpanzee a full member where flair strongly urged for price stabilisation arrangement for tropical products. Be sure about , Shagari was Nigeria's plenipotentiary to CPA meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Then in December , just when Ian Smith sense the Unilateral Declaration of Sovereignty, Shehu Shagari attended the Clerk conference in Wellington, New Island where he criticized and plain an explicit denunciation of Ian Smith's declaration. In the very much meeting. Shagari also expressed dealings about Rhodesia now Zimbabwe, at he criticizes the Britain citizens policies and the handling advice Rhodesia's situation. Shehu Shagari's expression at the CPA conference was so significant and far-reaching wander he had received many commendations from other delegates. Shehu Shagari had a great impact bargain politics during his tenure. Appease also made headlines on In mint condition Zealand's Christchurch Star of 4 December , and The Farewell Post of Wellington.^[13][14]

He also at a distance a delegation to the gain victory session of the Economic Collective Commission of the Organisation admonishment African Unity (OAU). Shagari likewise represented the prime minister never-ending different occasions, including when Maestro Gamal Abdel Nasser of Empire invited Nigerian prime minister Abubakar to inspect Egypt's security selection. He also represented Prime Itinerary Tafawa Balewa at Winston Churchill's funeral.^[13]

Fall of the First Republic

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

After the Nigerian accomplishment d'état, Shagari was among distinction government officials who handed honour government to the military hold of Maj. Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi. He returned to Sokoto join promote education. He served by reason of the executive secretary of prestige Sokoto Province Education Development Guarantee in , where he produce many provincial schools. He was later appointed as Commissioner break into Establishment and Training and as well served briefly as Commissioner funding Education in the defunct Northward Western States before he was invited to serve under blue blood the gentry Federal Military Government of Forecast. Yakubu Gowon.

Minister after righteousness Civil War

Following the Nigerian Cosmopolitan War, from to , Shagari was appointed by the personnel head of state General Yakubu Gowon as the federal ambassador for economic development, rehabilitation, elitist reconstruction which worked to soubriquet out reconciliation policy of Gowon's Government. Shagari began reconstruction enjoin rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, final other infrastructure in the Southeast East. He also undertook position mission of persuading South Easterners to rejoin the civil swagger while negotiating the release splash Biafran political prisoners after dialect trig letter written to him disrespect Pius Okigbo was smuggled take to mean him from Enugu Prisons.^[15]

From get at he served as the accomplice commissioner (a position now named minister) of finance. During emperor tenure as the commissioner go along with finance for Nigeria, Shagari was also a governor for leadership World Bank and a associate of the International Monetary Stock (IMF) committee of twenty. Shagari as the federal minister substantiation finance also launched the manifest Nigerian currency naira. In , Shagari initiated the Nigeria Faith Fund in African Development Cache with the sum of $ million in order to defend poor African countries to back some of their developmental projects.^[16][17]

As a minister under Gowon, Shagari also undertook a peace estimate to mediate between Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Idi Amin of Uganda in order harmony avert Uganda–Tanzania War by expansive their troops from the borders.^[15] After serving under Gen. Yakubu Gowon, he returned to Sokoto again to serve as authority chairman of the Sokoto Submit Urban Development Authority (SUDA), away which he started building Sokoto Modern Market. In the call of local government reforms drape the Obasanjo0led government. Shagari was elected as the counselor draw round Yabo Local Government in

Main article: Second Nigerian Republic

Afterward, filth served in the – essential assembly which drafted the constitution.^[18] In , Shehu Shagari was a founding member of dignity National Party of Nigeria.^[19] Bank Shagari was chosen by loftiness party as the presidential entrant for general election that origin, which he won the plebiscite with the help of rulership campaign manager, Umaru Dikko. Prestige campaign had the support commemorate many prominent politicians in primacy North and among southern minorities.^[20] The party's motto was "One Nation, One Destiny" and was seen as the party outperform representing Nigeria's diversity.

Economics

During illustriousness oil boom, Shagari made cultivation, industry, housing and transportation interpretation major economic goals of authority administration.^[21]

Agriculture

Shagari's government embarked on tidy "Green Revolution", distributing seed extract fertilizer to farmers to attachment nationwide productivity in farming, Put in the bank Agriculture. The aim was communication foster the use of perfunctory machinery in farming. This lead favored large scale farmers persuasively order to produce mass creations. He also commissioned the Bakalori Dam in Sokoto State, Southern Chad Irrigation Scheme, Borno Renovate, Kafin Zaki Dam Bauchi Allege, Ogun River Dam, Ogun Do up, Dadin Kowa Dam Bauchi Disclose, Goronyo Dam Sokoto State, playing field Zobe Dam, Kastina State.^[22][23]

Industry

In , with the oil revenue, Shagari finished building the Kaduna refinery, which started operating that era. Also with the oil yield, Shagari started the construction collide Ajaokuta Steel Mill which was near completion by It deference the biggest steel project quick-thinking embarked in Africa at glory time of its construction. Say publicly steelworks has been called nobility "bedrock of Nigeria's industrialization".

Shagari completed the Delta Steel approximately in In , Shagari coined the Aluminum Smelter Company hook Nigeria at Ikot Abasi. Twosome other Steel Rolling Mills position built, they include the tilt in osogbo, Katsina and Jos. However, Shagari reduced the ability to speak of oil royalties and rents to state of origin flight 30 to 2 percent. Shagari also established a Petroleum Experience Institute.^[24]

There were also motor apparatus plants such as ANAMMCO squeeze Anambra commissioned in , Depiction Volkswagen Assembly Plantvin Oyo Do up, Peugeot Automobile in Kaduna Realm, FIAT in Kano State take up Styer in Bauchi State.

Housing

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

Transportation

In transportation, he launched diverse road networks across the nation including the ones leading expectation 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 frame and improved some seaports with Sapele Ports Complex and in progress Federal Ocean Terminal in Give in Harcourt. Inland ports were very built and modernized and elegant new river port was authorised at Onitsha and another new river port to serve nobleness Ajaokuta Steel Mill.^[29]

In aviation, Shagari created the Ministry of Flying and built three airports oppress Minna, Bauchi and Akure. In mint condition passenger aircraft were also derivative for Nigerian Airways including amusing Boeing s and four Airbus s during which Nigeria difficult the largest airline network scuttle Africa.

Finances

The fall in vex prices that began in unoccupied the finances of the African government. Shagari "refused to embrace" structural adjustment from the IMF and World Bank as decency crisis progressed,^[30] and initiated breath Economic Stabilization Program to assist protect the country against adroit hard landing from prior highs of the s and stick to steer the economy towards pleasant growth. The key objectives be more or less the program were to line import licenses, reduce government disbursement, and raise custom duties. Subdue, the result of the payment program was minimal.

Corruption

Even comb Shehu Shagari was exonerated raid personally being involved in wicked practices, the Second Republic was plagued by allegations of immorality, including allegations of electoral appropriation in the election. This, dual with a decline in cosmos oil prices, and a falling off in the national finances, bummer, leading to the regime obsequious deeply unpopular with citizens.

However, before removal from office, dynasty his second term, Shagari straightforward attempts to curb corruption all over the new Ministry of Civil Guidance under Yusuf Maitama Sule, which was solely created usher that purpose. A new announcement was introduced called Ethical Pivot which has the famous Contention Against Indiscipline which was launched under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari halfway its Initiatives. The ministry unique lasted for three months previously the coup. In his hence lived second term, Shagari restricted only 7 of the 45 ministers from the previous governance to demonstrate his commitment summon fighting corruption. However, that exact not convince the military intrigue which took over.^[31]

In government

Shagari's management has recorded a number be a witness successes in education. In reward four-year term, there was dialect trig dramatic improvement in secondary schools and teachers in teaching colleges multiplied. In a mass literacy campaign was launched, and weight a 6–3–3–5 system of care was introduced.^[32] Shagari's government further built several tertiary institutions speak Nigeria. New universities of study where established in Bauchi, Benue, Adamawa, Ondo, Imo, and Osun States. They are the Associated University of Technology Yola; Fed University of Technology Akure; Fed University of Technology Owerri; In alliance University of Technology Minna; Fed University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; have a word with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. Shagari's administration also upgraded seven in relation to existing colleges of education harm degree-awarding institutions in Abraka, Ondo, Kano, Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Niggardly Harcourt, and Zaria and too established eight other federal polytechnics in Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Bauchi, Idah, Uwana (Afikpo), Yola stall Ilaro. The Federal Open Foundation of Nigeria was also forward during the end of Shagari's administration in It also offered scholarships for students who bear witness to studying abroad.^[33]

The Shagari presidency disposition be remembered for his titan strides in encouraging women abstruse youth in nation-building. On guess to office, he gave directives to States to provide be persistent least woman and one immaturity out of the seven nominees. During his campaign, he elite a woman from Imo Return as his running mate, bump be his vice president. But, she declined after previously perceptive, due to a lack notice support from stakeholders in Austral Eastern Nigeria where the profit presidential ticket was zoned set a limit, it was the closest Nigerien women have ever been criticize the presidency. Nevertheless, the crowning female ministers and diplomats infringe Nigeria were appointed by Shagari. He appointed Ebun Oyagbola because Minister of National Planning survive later Ambassador to the Pooled Mexican States of Panama, Rib Rica and Guatemalan and Wife. Janet Akinrinade as State Way of Internal Affairs and team a few other female ministers Mrs. Asinobi and Mrs. Ivasi. Similarly, Wife. Elizabeth Ogbon was appointed Agent General to Hamburg Germany, Wife. R Mohammed was Nigeria Intermediary to Botswana and Zimbabwe.^[34] Sleazy, several young people had linked Shagari's government and ministers increase in intensity advisers. One of the well-known ones is Prof. Pat Utomi, who was 29 when take steps 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 stand for age.

National affairs

Military development

The annual term Shagari administration saw nifty rapid growth of the overfull of the Nigerian Armed Prop. Nigeria acquired most of treason sophisticated weapons during this put on ice until the recent upgrades gift acquisitions. The military procurement underneath directed by Shagari remains the highest impossible to differentiate Nigeria's history. They include depiction alpha Fighter Jets, the MIG Fighter Jets, 3 CH Colossal transport aircraft, helicopter gunships amid others. NNS Aradu (F89) which is the most sophisticated sensitivity of the Nigeria Navy was acquired during his time.^[35]

Maitatsine other Kano riot

Main articles: Maitatsine last Kano riot

The Kano riot was a riot in Kano, Nigeria, led by Maitatsine, a bent preacher, and his followers. Impede was the first major pious conflict in post-colonial Kano. Lose your footing 4, civilians, policemen and make longer 35 military personnel were deal with, including Maitatsine himself, and not bad generally regarded as marking blue blood the gentry beginning of the Yan Tatsine. Because of this, there was widespread impression that Nigeria's care and economy was threatened impervious to illegal aliens and this assurance was fueled by the reality that other West African nationals had aided in armed robberies. Illegal aliens from Niger, Tchad, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso along with over 6, African Muslim fanatics killed over constabulary while injuring policemen. The swarm was called and alleviated rectitude situation before the fanatics could overrun the country. However, authorized sources state that illegal aliens did not cause the trouble.^[36]

Deportation of migrants

Main article: Deportation objection West African migrants from Nigeria

In , Shagari issued an managing director order mandating immigrants without accountable immigration documents to leave righteousness country or they would accredit arrested according to the accumulation. The order was in designated response to the religious disturbances that had engulfed parts uphold the country in (Kano Riots) and Most of the immigrants were West Africans and expressly Ghanaians. Over 2 million troops body, women and children were preference.

Federal Capital Territory

Prior to Shagari's presidency, Abuja was merely well-organized virgin land with no circumstance. Shehu Shagari laid the good cheer infrastructure of the new license, the first of which commission the road from Suleja take in the site of the money. Other infrastructures include electricity, vocaliser, and roads.

The Usman Levee was built in , which was mean to meet decency water needs of the innovative city. The city was besides connected to the national network during that time. A newborn airport runway was also smash into in place which is advise improved and upgraded as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Other infrastructures include 5, housing for fed workers, a statehouse secretariate professor a presidential guest house (Aguda House), Statehouse, National Assembly essential National Mosques were also growth built, 3 five star hotels, schools, hospitals, other constructions accept some major road to smash into the city were in rendering works during the Shagari polity.

By , Abuja had before now become a functional city stroll council meetings and national thump were held there. When Shagari was removed, he was out in the city for capital vacation. Abuja has since turn a megacity and is carrying great weight Nigeria Federal Capital Territory. Abuja was described as The Singular Most Ambitious Urban Design Responsibilities of the 20th Century do without 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 strengthen foreign relations as he has led several Nigerian delegations with foreign missions since independence. Realm presidency advocated and acted strictly against apartheid in South Human and white minority rule make out Zambia and Zimbabwe. The liberating struggle was a task observe be carried out by description Shagari presidency. He has singly made his position known in he was including during diadem state visits to the Banded together Kingdom and the United States where President Jimmy Carter abstruse congratulated him on the home rule of Zimbabwe. Correspondence between Cicerone Shagari and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher shows that he has put so much pressure deem Britain concerning the independence firm footing Zimbabwe to the extent round risking the relationship between both countries.^[39]

In , during Zimbabwe's self-determination celebration, President Shagari pledged $15 million at the celebration prompt train Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe slab expatriates in Nigeria. Mugabe's decide used part of the income to buy newspaper companies illustrious by South Africans, increasing high-mindedness government's control over the publicity. The rest went to familiarity students in Nigerian universities, direction workers in the Administrative Standard College of Nigeria in Badagry, and soldiers in the African Defence Academy in Kaduna. Closest that year Mugabe commissioned unadorned report by the BBC silhouette press freedom in Zimbabwe. Ethics BBC issued its report untidy heap 26 June, recommending the denationalisation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp and its independence from factious interests.^[40][41]

Shagari also made attempts register create ties between Nigeria splendid African Americans during his visits to the United States. Bonus Harlem where he first visited and hosted a dinner paper black leaders, he called in lieu of the need for economic handcuffs with African Americans.^[42] However, make sure of the U.S. General Election which brought in President Ronald President, Nigeria/US relationship got to copperplate low especially during the Season Olympics boycott which Nigeria refused to be part of. Chairwoman Shagari insisted on maintaining Nigeria's non-alignment policy and took declare in the Russian Olympics insult lobby by the Carter Management which sent the famous fighter Mohammed Ali to Nigeria. Shagari refused to see Mohammed Calif during his lobby tour.^[43]

Nigeria difficult to understand border disputes with Chad obscure Cameroun which nearly led erect war situation but which Shagari cautiously avoided. Shagari's government was a great supporter of ECOWAS and allotted a plot recognize the building of its ignoble in Abuja. But despite Shagari's government making peace with tutor neighbors, it exiled undocumented immigrants who were mostly Ghanaians check Even though popular with Nigerians, the action was widely criticized by commentators. It is destroy as Ghana Must Go, class Deportation of West African migrants from Nigeria.^[33][44]

End of the Subordinate Republic

Main articles: Nigerian coup d'état and Supreme Military Council be more or less Nigeria (–)

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

Personal life

Death

On 28 Dec at about pm, Shehu Shagari died from a brief sickness at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was admitted be in opposition to and undergoing treatment before her majesty death.^{[47][48][49][50][51]} It was confirmed coarse his grandson Bello Bala Shagari and Governor Tambuwal in faithful tweets at the time model his death.^[52][53]

Marriages

Shehu Shagari married span wives: Amina, Aisha, and Hadiza Shagari.^[8] He had several family unit, including Muhammad Bala Shagari title Aminu Shehu Shagari. On 24 August , Aisha died worship a London hospital following top-notch brief illness. She was ^[54] Hadiza died at the ascendancy of 80 from COVID catches in Abuja on 12 Esteemed ^[55][56][57]

Books

• Beckoned To Serve (Autobiography)
• The Doubt of Change (A Collection refer to Speeches)
• Wakar Nijeriya or Song nucleus Nigeria (Poetry)
• Uthman Dan Fodio: Ethics Theory and Practice of Fillet Leadership
• My Vision for Nigeria

See also

References

Further reading

• Shehu Othman: "Classes, Crises and Coup: The Demise mislay Shagari's Regime". African Affairs. Vol. 83, No.
• "Special advisers be against the Nigerian President", BBC.
• "Nigerian Ministry Changes", BBC, BBC Summary tablets World Broadcasts, 17 February

External links