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A former minister of mines and petroleum in the first republic, Shettima Ali Monguno, has died at the age of 95.
Reports said Mr. Monguno died on Friday at his home in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, officially announced the demise of the respected nonagenarian through a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Jidda Shuwa.
The statement said:
“It is with a deep sense of loss and profound sadness that we announce, on behalf of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State and the Borno State Government, the passage of our father and distinguished Statesman, Alhaji (Dr.) Shettima Ali Monguno.He died this evening, Friday, 8th July, 2016.
“His burial will, insha Allah (by the grace of God) take place tomorrow, Saturday, 9th July, 2016 at 2pm at his residence, near Government House, Old GRA, Maiduguri.
“May Allah (SWA) forgive his sins and grant him abode in Aljanat Firdaus, and may Allah grant his family and the entire people of Borno State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.
Mr. Monguno, a former presidential candidate during the 1990 option A4 political arrangement, was known in the last three decades as a philanthropist who committed his time and resources to charity through his Shettima Ali Monguno Foundation that focussed mainly on the education of poor children especially the girl child.
Until his final retirement from public function some three years ago, Mr Monguno was the chairman of the Borno Elders Forum.