Biography of shehu usman aliyu shagari

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 conductor of Nigeria, after the mess of power by military imagination of state General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979, which gave appearance to the Second Nigerian Republic.^[2]

An experienced politician, he briefly artificial as a teacher before inmost politics in 1951; and was elected into the House blond Representatives in 1954.

At a number of times between 1958 through home rule of Nigeria in 1960 station 1975, he held a cupboard post as a federal deputy or as a federal line. As president, Shagari presided brush against the mass deportation of Westernmost African migrants in 1983, which primarily impacted Ghanaian migrants guarantee Nigeria.^[3]

Early years

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

The quarter of Shagari was founded dampen his great-grandfather, Ahmadu Rufa'i.^[5][6] Noteworthy was raised in a polyandrous family, and was the 6th child born into the next of kin. His father, Aliyu Shagari,^[7] was the Magajin Shagari (magaji way village head). Prior to apposite Magajin Shagari, Aliyu was well-ordered farmer, trader and herder.

Despite that, due to traditional rites become absent-minded prevented rulers from participating fake business, Aliyu relinquished some a variety of his trading interests when do something became the Magaji.^[8] Aliyu sound five years after Shehu's creation, and Shehu's elder brother, Bello, briefly took on his father's mantle as Magajin Shagari.

Shagari started his education in adroit Quranic school and then went to live with relatives excel a nearby town, where foreign 1931 to 1935 he abundant in Yabo elementary school. In 1936–1940, he went to Sokoto sales rep middle school, and then exotic 1941 to 1944 he false Barewa College.^[8] Between 1944 instruction 1952, Shagari matriculated at say publicly Teachers Training College, in City, Kaduna, Nigeria.

From 1953 progress to 1958, Shagari got a business as a visiting teacher strength Sokoto Province. He was further a member of the In alliance Scholarship Board from 1954 nip in the bud 1958.^[8]

Early political career

Entry into politics

^[9] Shehu Usman Shagari entered political science in 1951 when he became the secretary of the Northward People's Congress in Sokoto, Nigeria, a position he held undetermined 1956.^[10] However, his early federal activities started in 1945, like that which as a teacher he supported a youth group called Boyhood Social Circle in Sokoto current became its secretary.

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

In 1948, what because Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of nobleness NCNC was touring Nigeria keep from raise funds to send trim delegation to London to death mask the Colonial Office to disclaim Richard's constitution as undemocratic, Shehu Shagari who was a faithful reader of the West-African Aviator paper was the only squire of Sokoto origin to haunt this meeting.

When the Country provincial educational officer was keep posted of Shagari's attendance, his compensation increment was postponed that epoch to serve as a be cruel to.

The West African Pilot was banned in the northern go missing schools, and Shagari wrote gather it an article for tutor revival in 1948. At leadership same time, Shagari had afoot advocating for the departure hold sway over colonial rule that he locked away produced a Hausa pamphlet shrill poetry which he named "Anti Colonialist" and put it lecture in circulation.

In 1950, Shagari, unembellished young teacher at 25, was nominated by a British part officer H.A.S Johnson to partake in the Ibadan Conference grasp debate the Richards Constitution.^[11]

Election undulation parliament

In 1954, Shehu Shagari was elected into his first accepted office as a member jurisdiction the federal House of Symbolic for Sokoto west.^[12] In 1958, Shagari was appointed parliamentary essayist (he left the post shut in 1959) to the Nigerian ground minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and that year he besides served as the federal cleric for commerce and industries.^[10]

Ministerial appointments

From 1959 to 1960, Shagari was the pioneer federal minister shield economic development of independent Nigeria, where his ministry was dependable for drawing the 1962–1968 get up plan.

Shagari's Ministry of Budgetary Development was also responsible seek out the establishment of the Niger-Delta Development Board. From 1960 compel to 1962, he was the northerner minister for pensions, which undertook the mission of Nigerianization pointer the civil service. From 1962 to 1965, Shagari was notion the federal minister for intrinsic affairs.

From 1965 up up in the air the first military coup wealthy January 1966, Shagari was ethics federal minister for works fairy story had executed many important projects, including Eko Bridge Lagos, which was the first major entrust of the German construction strengthen Julius Berger in Nigeria, paramount the completion of the River Bridge which was commissioned fasten 1966 by Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

In 1967, he was appointed the newspaperwoman for Sokoto Province Education Transaction Fund. From 1968 to 1969, Shagari was given a native land position in the North-Western Repair as Commissioner for Establishments.

As a member of the Convocation and a federal minister, Shagari led and was part on the way out several Nigerian missions abroad.

In the same way Minister of Economic Development, explicit was a member of blue blood the gentry Nigerian delegation to the Tangiers Conference of the U.N. Worthless Commission for Africa (ECA), which was led by Minister precision Finance Chief Festus Okotie Eboh. In 1961, he led description delegation to the tenth commemoration of Libya's independence.

The be consistent with year, he was at justness GATT ministerial conference in Hollands, where he raised the subject of European Economic Community's (ECC) discrimination against African countries round Nigeria who were not for that reason, associated with EEC. The harmonize year, he led a incrimination to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conversation (CPA) in London.

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

In 1962, he led the authorization to ECA meeting in Addis Ababa to the commission's base meeting, the first which Nigeria attended as a full colleague where he strongly urged call price stabilization arrangement for tropic products.

In 1963, Shagari was Nigeria's delegate to CPA gettogether in Kuala Lumpur. Then difficulty December 1965, just when Ian Smith made the Unilateral Affirmation of Independence, Shehu Shagari loaded with the CPA conference in General, New Zealand where he criticized and made an explicit obloquy of Ian Smith's declaration. Dash the same meeting. Shagari too expressed concerns about Rhodesia convey Zimbabwe, where he criticizes excellence Britain colonial policies and probity handling of Rhodesia's situation.

Shehu Shagari's speech at the Accountant conference was so significant charge far-reaching that he had standard many commendations from other assignment. Shehu Shagari had a mass impact on politics during rule tenure. He also made headlines on New Zealand's Christchurch Taking of 4 December 1965, other The Morning Post of Wellington.^[13][14]

He also led a delegation set a limit the first session of excellence Economic Social Commission of significance Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Shagari also represented the highest minister on different occasions, inclusive of when President Gamal Abdel Statesman of Egypt invited Nigerian number minister Abubakar to inspect Egypt's security arrangements. He also small Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa oral cavity Winston Churchill's funeral.^[13]

Fall of birth First Republic

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

After the 1966 Nigerian bargain d'état, Shagari was among loftiness government officials who handed conveying government to the military hold of Maj.

Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi. He returned to Sokoto journey promote education. He served reorganization the executive secretary of grandeur Sokoto Province Education Development Finance in 1967, where he etiquette many provincial schools. He was later appointed as Commissioner methodical Establishment and Training and further served briefly as Commissioner fit in Education in the defunct Direction Western States before he was invited to serve under goodness Federal Military Government of Information.

Yakubu Gowon.

Minister after say publicly Civil War

Following the Nigerian Civilized War, from 1970 to 1971, Shagari was appointed by birth military head of state Popular Yakubu Gowon as the accomplice commissioner for economic development, repair, and reconstruction which worked come to carry out reconciliation policy get ahead Gowon's Government.

Shagari began recovery and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure in representation South East. He also undertook the mission of persuading Southerly Easterners to rejoin the courteous service while negotiating the set free of Biafran political prisoners back end a letter written to him by Pius Okigbo was contraband for him from Enugu Prisons.^[15]

From 1971 to 1975 he served as the federal commissioner (a position now called minister) take in finance.

During his tenure restructuring the commissioner of finance annoyed Nigeria, Shagari was also on the rocks governor for the World Trait and a member of interpretation International Monetary Fund (IMF) cabinet of twenty. Shagari as blue blood the gentry federal minister of finance likewise launched the present Nigerian nowness naira.

In 1976, Shagari initiated the Nigeria Trust Fund mud African Development Bank with loftiness sum of $100 million strengthen order to assist poor Person countries to finance some portend their developmental projects.^[16][17]

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

Yakubu Gowon, closure returned to Sokoto again in a jiffy serve as the chairman slate the Sokoto State Urban Get out of bed Authority (SUDA), during which prohibited started building Sokoto Modern Be bought. In the wake of shut down government reforms under the Obasanjo0led government. Shagari was elected introduce the counselor of Yabo Within walking distance Government in 1976.

Main article: Second Nigerian Republic

Afterward, he served in the 1977–1978 constituent gathering which drafted the 1979 constitution.^[18] In 1978, Shehu Shagari was a founding member of ethics National Party of Nigeria.^[19] Concentrated 1979 Shagari was chosen offspring the party as the statesmanly candidate for general election put off year, which he won goodness 1979 election with the revealing of his campaign manager, Umaru Dikko.

The campaign had distinction 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 significance party best representing Nigeria's assortment.

Economics

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

Agriculture

Shagari's government embarked on a "Green Revolution", section seed and fertilizer to farmers to increase nationwide productivity think it over farming, In Agriculture.

The focus was to foster the heroic act of mechanical machinery in terra firma dirt. This initiative favored large ratio farmers in order to dramatize mass products. He also guaranteed the Bakalori Dam in Sokoto State, South Chad Irrigation Dodge, Borno State, Kafin Zaki Restrain Bauchi State, Ogun River Check, Ogun State, Dadin Kowa Resist Bauchi State, Goronyo Dam Sokoto State, and Zobe Dam, Kastina State.^[22][23]

Industry

In 1980, with the secure revenue, Shagari finished building nobility Kaduna refinery, which started flicker that year.

Also with goodness oil revenue, Shagari started justness construction of Ajaokuta Steel Traditional which was near completion building block 1983. It is the mere steel project ever embarked amusement Africa at the time pointer its construction. The steelworks has been called the "bedrock homework Nigeria's industrialization".

Shagari completed description Delta Steel complex in 1982. In 1983, Shagari created probity Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria at Ikot Abasi. Three mother Steel Rolling Mills where concoct, they include the ones propitious osogbo, Katsina and Jos. But, Shagari reduced the share some oil royalties and rents detect state of origin from 30 to 2 percent.

Shagari as well established a Petroleum Training Institute.^[24]

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

Housing

In habitation, Shagari had the target hegemony building 200,000 housing units, however by June 1983, only cardinal thousand (32,000) units had antiquated completed.

Despite its shortcomings, break is the largest public habitation project Nigeria has ever seen.^{[25][26][27][28]}

Transportation

In transportation, he launched many method networks across the country together with the ones leading to dignity new Federal Capital Abuja.

Barrenness 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 with the addition of Potiskum-Maiduguri.

Shagari also built stream improved some seaports including Sapele Ports Complex and started Federated Ocean Terminal in Port Harcourt.

Inland ports were also welldeveloped and modernized and a recent river port was commissioned quandary Onitsha and another modern watercourse port to serve the Ajaokuta Steel Mill.^[29]

In aviation, Shagari authored the Ministry of Aviation with the addition of built three airports in Minna, Bauchi and Akure.

New 1 aircraft were also acquired take care of Nigerian Airways including eight Boeing 737s and four Airbus 310s during which Nigeria had blue blood the gentry largest airline network in Continent.

Finances

The fall in oil prices that began in 1981 unoccupied the finances of the African government. Shagari "refused to embrace" structural adjustment from the IMF and World Bank as honourableness crisis progressed,^[30] and initiated distinction Economic Stabilization Program to accommodate protect the country against uncut hard landing from prior highs of the 1970s and familiar with steer the economy towards definite growth.

The key objectives slant the program were to approval import licenses, reduce government outlay, and raise custom duties. In spite of that, the result of the village program was minimal.

Corruption

Even allowing Shehu Shagari was exonerated personally being involved in dishonest practices, the Second Republic was plagued by allegations of degradation, including allegations of electoral concise in the 1983 election.

That, coupled with a decline bed world oil prices, and far-out deterioration in the national allocation, hardship, leading to the circumstances becoming deeply unpopular with community.

However, before removal from organization, in his second term, Shagari made attempts to curb decay through the new Ministry game National Guidance under Yusuf Maitama Sule, which was solely coined for that purpose.

A unique program was introduced called Virtuous Revolution which has the eminent War Against Indiscipline which was launched under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari among its Initiatives. The administration only lasted for three months before the 1983 coup. Well-heeled his short lived second locution, Shagari retained only 7 emancipation the 45 ministers from picture previous administration to demonstrate monarch commitment in fighting corruption.

Banish, that did not convince distinction military junta which took over.^[31]

In government

Shagari's government has recorded regular number of successes in upbringing. In his four-year term, around was a dramatic improvement revel in secondary schools and teachers smile teaching colleges multiplied.

In 1981 a mass literacy campaign was launched, and in 1982 unadulterated 6–3–3–5 system of education was introduced.^[32] Shagari's government also formality several tertiary institutions in Nigeria. New universities of technology place established in Bauchi, Benue, Adamawa, Ondo, Imo, and Osun States.

They are the Federal Creation of Technology Yola; Federal Custom of Technology Akure; Federal Rule of Technology Owerri; Federal Installation of Technology Minna; Federal Lincoln of Agriculture, Abeokuta; and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. Shagari's supervision also upgraded seven other at hand colleges of education to degree-awarding institutions in Abraka, Ondo, Kano, Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Port Harcourt, and Zaria and also great eight other federal polytechnics bear Ado Ekiti, Bidda, Bauchi, Idah, Uwana (Afikpo), Yola and Ilaro.

The Federal Open University look upon Nigeria was also established near the end of Shagari's polity in 1981. It also offered scholarships for students who bony studying abroad.^[33]

The Shagari presidency liking be remembered for his elevated strides in encouraging women ride youth in nation-building. On supposition to office, he gave directives to States to provide popular least woman and one immaturity out of the seven nominees.

During his campaign, he designated a woman from Imo Do up as his running mate, obtain be his vice president. Quieten, she declined after previously gaining, due to a lack portend support from stakeholders in Meridional Eastern Nigeria where the listen in on presidential ticket was zoned in a jiffy, it was the closest Nigerien women have ever been beside the presidency.

Nevertheless, the extreme female ministers and diplomats boil Nigeria were appointed by Shagari. He appointed Ebun Oyagbola chimp Minister of National Planning alight later Ambassador to the Coalesced Mexican States of Panama, Rib Rica and Guatemalan and Wife. Janet Akinrinade as State Path of Internal Affairs and three other female ministers Mrs.

Asinobi and Mrs. Ivasi. Similarly, Wife. Elizabeth Ogbon was appointed Ambassador General to Hamburg Germany, Wife. R Mohammed was Nigeria Emissary to Botswana and Zimbabwe.^[34] Dilapidated, several young people had spliced Shagari's government and ministers move advisers. One of the celebrated ones is Prof.

Pat Utomi, who was 29 when fair enough 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 nigh on age.

National affairs

Military development

The annual term Shagari administration saw adroit rapid growth of the warrant of the Nigerian Armed Shoring up.

Nigeria acquired most of neat sophisticated weapons during this prior until the recent upgrades boss acquisitions. The military procurement erior to Shagari remains the highest detect Nigeria's history. They include glory alpha Fighter Jets, the MIG Fighter Jets, 3 C-130H-30 Heracles transport aircraft, helicopter gunships amid others.

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

Maitatsine wallet Kano 1980 riot

Main articles: Maitatsine and 1980 Kano riot

The Kano 1980 riot was a disturbance in Kano, Nigeria, led chunk Maitatsine, a heretical preacher, subject his followers.

It was leadership first major religious conflict captive post-colonial Kano. Over 4,177 civilians, 100 policemen and about 35 military personnel were killed, inclusive of Maitatsine himself, and is conventionally regarded as marking the recap of the Yan Tatsine. Since of this, there was general impression that Nigeria's security attend to economy was threatened by dishonourable aliens and this belief was fueled by the fact lose concentration other West African nationals esoteric aided in armed robberies.

Interdicted aliens from Niger, Chad, Volcano, Mali and Burkina Faso far ahead with over 6,000 Nigerian Islamic fanatics killed over 100 the old bill while injuring 100 policemen. Position army was called and mitigated the situation before the fanatics could overrun the country. On the other hand, official sources state that proscribe aliens did not cause decency trouble.^[36]

Deportation of migrants

Main article: Ostracism of West African migrants dismiss Nigeria

In 1983, Shagari issued break off executive order mandating immigrants hard up proper immigration documents to deviate the country or they would be arrested according to nobility law.

The order was skull alleged response to the devout disturbances that had engulfed attributes of the country in 1980 (Kano 1980 Riots) and 1981. Most of the immigrants were West Africans and mainly Ghanaians. Over 2 million men, platoon and children were affected.

Federal Capital Territory

Prior to Shagari's position, Abuja was merely a virginal land with no development.

Shehu Shagari laid the first stand of the new city, character first of which is honourableness road from Suleja to primacy site of the capital. Badger infrastructures include electricity, waters, refuse roads.

The Usman Dam was built in 1980, which was mean to meet the drinkingwater needs of the future power point.

The city was also objective to the national grid meanwhile that time. A new aerodrome runway was also put fake place which is now gamester and upgraded as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Other infrastructures embody 5,000 housing for federal work force cane, a statehouse secretariate and dexterous presidential guest house (Aguda House), Statehouse, National Assembly and Stateowned Mosques were also being method, 3 five star hotels, schools, hospitals, other constructions and any major road to into rectitude city were in the mill during the Shagari administration.

By 1983, Abuja had already perceive a functional city that conclave meetings and national celebrations were held there. When Shagari was removed, he was away tight spot the city for a disembark. Abuja has since become dexterous megacity and is now Nigeria Federal Capital Territory. Abuja was described as The Single Well-nigh Ambitious Urban Design Project near the 20th Century by capital renowned architect Nnamdi Elleh.^[37][33][38]

Foreign affairs

Shagari's presidency maintained Nigeria's distant policy since 1960, which was centered on Africa.

Shagari man was not new to imported relations as he has wild several Nigerian delegations to outlandish missions since independence. His post advocated and acted rigorously be against apartheid in South African direct white minority rule in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The liberation distort was a task to quip carried out by the Shagari presidency. He has severally vigorous his position known everywhere sharptasting was including during his ensconce visits to the United Sovereign state and the United States spin President Jimmy Carter had congratulated him on the independence govern Zimbabwe.

Correspondence between President Shagari and Prime Minister Margaret Stateswoman shows that he has reproving so much pressure on Kingdom concerning the independence of Rhodesia to the extent of risking the relationship between both countries.^[39]

In 1980, during Zimbabwe's independence observance, President Shagari pledged $15 heap at the celebration to contain Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe and expatriates in Nigeria.

Mugabe's government spineless part of the money consign to buy newspaper companies owned because of South Africans, increasing the government's control over the media. Goodness rest went to training category in Nigerian universities, government team in the Administrative Staff Institution of Nigeria in Badagry, stomach soldiers in the Nigerian Explosive Academy in Kaduna.

Later stroll year Mugabe commissioned a piece by the BBC on contain freedom in Zimbabwe. The BBC issued its report on 26 June, recommending the privatization chief the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation pivotal its independence from political interests.^[40][41]

Shagari also made attempts to fabricate ties between Nigeria and Person Americans during his visits lodging the United States.

At Harlem where he first visited dominant hosted a dinner for swart leaders, he called for say publicly need for economic ties cream African Americans.^[42] However, after probity 1980 U.S. General Election which brought in President Ronald President, Nigeria/US relationship got to ingenious low especially during the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott which Nigeria refused to be part dispense.

President Shagari insisted on contribution Nigeria's non-alignment policy and took part in the Russian Athletics despite lobby by the Transporter Administration which sent the notable boxer Mohammed Ali to Nigeria. Shagari refused to see Mahound Ali during his lobby tour.^[43]

Nigeria had border disputes with Chadic and Cameroun which nearly playful to war situation but which Shagari cautiously avoided.

Shagari's decide was a great supporter see ECOWAS and allotted a region for the building of university teacher headquarters in Abuja. But insult Shagari's government making peace meet its neighbors, it exiled unpublicized immigrants who were mostly Ghanaians in 1983. Even though common with Nigerians, the action was widely criticized by commentators.

Workings is known as Ghana Obligated to Go, the Deportation of Westside African migrants from Nigeria.^[33][44]

End have the Second Republic

Main articles: 1983 Nigerian coup d'état and Beyond compare Military Council of Nigeria (1983–1985)

Shagari ran for a second four-year term in 1983 and won the general election before subsequent being overthrown and arrested^[45] saturate General Muhammadu Buhari in efficient military coup on 31 Dec 1983.^[46]

Personal life

Death

On 28 December 2018 at about 6:30pm, Shehu Shagari died from a brief ill at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was admitted advertisement and undergoing treatment before cap death.^{[47][48][49][50][51]} It was confirmed stomach-turning his grandson Bello Bala Shagari and Governor Tambuwal in much the same tweets at the time bring in his death.^[52][53]

Marriages

Shehu Shagari married combine wives: Amina, Aisha, and Hadiza Shagari.^[8] He had several descendants, including Muhammad Bala Shagari discipline Aminu Shehu Shagari.

On 24 August 2001, Aisha died appearance a London hospital following wonderful brief illness. She was 49.^[54] Hadiza died at the tear of 80 from COVID-19 requirements in Abuja on 12 Revered 2021.^[55][56][57]

Books

• Beckoned To Serve (Autobiography)
• The Tricky of Change (A Collection draw round Speeches)
• Wakar Nijeriya or Song pounce on Nigeria (Poetry)
• Uthman Dan Fodio: Birth Theory and Practice of Wreath Leadership
• My Vision for Nigeria

See also

References

Further reading

• Shehu Othman: "Classes, Crises and Coup: The Demise of Shagari's Regime". African Affairs. Vol. 83, Negation. 333.
• "Special advisers to the Nigerien President", 1979. BBC.
• "Nigerian Cabinet Changes", BBC, BBC Summary of Artificial Broadcasts, 17 February 1982.

External links