Former president, Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, condoled the family of ex-President Shehu Shagari, describing him as an epitome of integrity, commitment, who had faith in God.
Obasanjo visited the home of the deceased in company of Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Condoling the family, Obasanjo said late Shagari was a man who was committed to national interest.
The former president, while recalling his days in the military and his relationship with the late Shagari as federal commissioners in General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet, said the deceased was an honest, transparent and a committed Nigerian.
“I had the opportunity to work with him, immediately we were kicked out of government, I was appointed Chief of Staff and had the task of managing our colleagues back to their respective places. He thanked me for making arrangement for him to get back to Sokoto.
“Shagari should not be mourned. He should be celebrated as a true, honest and sincere leader who was a nationalist to the core. Nigeria has lost a gem,” he said.
Obasanjo further recalled how late Shagari expressed surprise when the mantle of leadership was handed to him in 1979 by a military head of state which happened to be himself.
“He was a true friend indeed not a fair weather friend. His life was an embodiment of something to celebrate. We have learnt a lot from him. If we learn the lessons of forgiveness which he taught us, Nigeria will be a good country”, said the former President.
Responding, Bala Shagari thanked the former President for the condolence visit. He recalled that Obasanjo was the man who helped his late father to own a house in Abuja.
