By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola has described the death of Second Republic President Shehu Shagari as a national loss.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, Governor Oyetola described the former president as a man of honour, who lived a life worthy of emulation.
According to the governor, the ex-President Shagari demonstrated politics without bitterness when he deservedly awarded the country’s highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to the leader of opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in 1982
He said although the honour was reserved for only presidents/heads of state, Shagari recognized the contributions of the late sage to nation building by his non-partisan action.
Governor Oyetola added that Shagari maintained a dignified posture and respectability out of office.
He urged today’s politicians to emulate the attributes of the late former president who served the country diligently and to the best of his ability in various capacities from the pre-independence era through the First Republic and eventually as Second Republic President between 1979 and 1983.
The Osun Governor, commiserated with Shagari’s family members, the people and government of Sokoto State and Nigerians.
Shagari passed on in Abuja last night at the age of 93.
He prayed that Allah will grant his family and Nigerians the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
