The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Ozonkpu Victor Ike Oye, has described the death of former President of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari as the end of an unforgettable era and a national loss.
In a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday by the National Director of Publicity of the party, Iheanacho Oguejiofor, the APGA chairman lamented what he called, “the death of an iconic politician who played politics with fineness, candour, integrity and without bitterness”.
He recalled the period between 1979 and 1983(when Shagari held office as Nigeria’s Second Republic President) as one of the most peaceful and progressive in the annals of the country, urging today’s politicians to emulate his humility and honesty in leadership.
The APGA boss reminisced on his personal encounter with Shagari when he (Shagari) visited PRODA (Project Development Agency) in Enugu in 1982 where he expressed strong conviction that Nigeria would one day become a truly global power in technology.
“I was personally present as he discussed the expansion of PRODA with the agency’s director then, Prof. Gordian Ezekwe”, Oye enthused.
“Unfortunately, Shagari’s plan to advance the cause of Nigeria’s technological development was aborted by the December 31, 1983 coup”.
He called on the Federal Government to sustain the vision of the late President by devoting more resources to research in order to promote technical and technological education in the country, the statement said.
Oye charged the Federal Government to name a national monument after him even though some national institutions bear his name, as a way of immortalizing him even as prayed God to grant the soul of Shagari eternal repose among the saints.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
