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Trbutes have not stopped pouring in for late President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died last week at the age of 93.
The latest of such tributes is from Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District. In a release made available to newsmen in Abuja, Senator Rasaki described Shagari’s death as “the passage of an Ekiti man in spirit who throughout his tenure as the President of Nigeria under the banner of National party of Nigeria (NPN), identified with the aspirations of Ekiti part of the old Ondo state and maintained a close relationship with prominent and distinguished Ekiti sons and daughters”.
Senator Rasaki, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, said Shagari loved Ekiti people.
She continued: “Yes, I remember that it was during his tenure that the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti which he initially wanted to make a University but was politicized was weaned through the relationship between him, late Chief Michael Afolabi Obayemi, Late Chief Claudius Agboola Bamigboye and Chief Afe Babalola.
“I also remember that the Ero Dam, which is the 3rd largest man-made dam in Nigeria was constructed all in Ekiti part of the old Ondo State. I also remember that he wanted to lay the foundation of a Federal Teaching Hospital in Ado then when his helicopter could not land in mysterious circumstances. I bold to say that, he did well and would have done more for Ekiti if he had ended his two term tenure”
Senator Rasaki stated further that Shagari “was a nationalist in acts, deeds and words. He ruled over a country with nationalistic fervour and even showed the greater perception of nationalism when he conferred the highest National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was then, the Presidential candidate and leader of Unity Party of Nigeria, the main opposition party. This is to show the elasticity of his politically large-heartedness.”
The Ekiti-born senator called on the Federal Government to immortalise Shagari by naming the National Assembly complex after him because “the late former President deserves to be immortalised with a prominent national monument in Abuja and not in any local area or region.”