Shagari, Nigeria’s first elected President, buried in Shagari, Sokoto, amidst military salutes
By Muhammed Yahuza, Sokoto
Shagari, whose body was carried by officers of the Nigerian Army, was laid to rest amidst military salutes at about 3.30pm following the Janazah (funeral) session in according with Islamic rites led by Professor Shehu Galadanchi, former Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Sokoto.
The Nigeria’s first democratically elected President, Alhaji Aliyu Usman Shehu Shagari, who died at the National Hospital Abuja on Friday, has finally been committed to mother earth in Shagari town, Sokoto, his country home.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, led the Federal Government high powered delegation to burial of the former President, who was 93 at the point of demise his demise.
Shagari, whose body was carried by officers of the Nigerian Army, was laid to rest amidst military salutes at about 3.30pm following the Janazah (funeral) session in according with Islamic rites led by Professor Shehu Galadanchi, former Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Sokoto.
Shagari’s corpse arrived at the Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto earlier in the afternoon on arrival from Abuja and was received by Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, alongside members of the state executive council.
Other dignitaries that attended the funeral prayers included Governors of Kebbi and Zamfara states, former Governors of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and Senator Aliyu Wamakko, former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, and former Minister of Water Resources and immediate past Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari.
