Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada
A former Minister of Internal Affairs during the administration of ex-military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. John Shagaya, is dead.Although details of the incident were still sketchy, it was learnt that he died on Sunday in an auto crash while travelling from Lantang to Jos. It was gathered that one of the front tyres of his vehicle burst in motion thus setting the car on a ghastly somersault.Shagaya, it was learnt, died on the spot while his remains had been deposited in the mortuary of an unnamed hospital.Shagaya was before his death, the Chairman, Governing Board of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru in Jos and his last public assignment was about two weeks ago in Abuja.When contacted to speak on the accident, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, said “I don’t want to speculate, please leave me out of it. I beg, you are the one telling me.”But a former Senate President, David Mark, who is Shagaya’s friend, confirmed the death.He said, “Nigeria has lost one of her finest and fertile minds. I have lost a bosom friend, a pathfinder and a patriot.”Mark in a statement by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, said Shagaya left a legacy of “uncommon commitment to the ideals of nationhood.”He said, “I am shocked. I am sad. He was my friend, comrade and colleague. He was among the best and fertile minds in the Armed Forces during our days in the Nigerian Army. He believed in the sanctity of our unity. He believed in the rule of law and in a society where every citizen is free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear of molestation or intimidation.”Meanwhile, the Presidency on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari was saddened to learn of the tragic accident that took the life of Senator John Shagaya.The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this in a statement made available to journalists.The statement read in part, “The President pays tribute to the great Nigerian whose legacies will live on in the patriotic work he did as a military officer, who rose to the position of a General, and a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic that ably represented the Plateau Southern zone.“The President affirms that at each step of his distinguished career in national service and politics, General Shagaya brought his deep convictions and discipline to national, regional and community assignments and was ready to always offer his best to the development and stability of the country.“President Buhari prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest.”
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