Ex-President Shehu Shagari’s widow dies at 89

Hajiya Sutura Shehu-Shagari, the last surviving wife of Nigeria’s former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has died at the age of 89.

A statement issued on Monday by the head of the Shagari family, Capt. Muhammad Bala Shagari (retd.), confirmed that Hajiya Sutura passed away around 3pm after a prolonged illness.

“She was an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, a devoted mother, grandmother, and matriarch who lived a life defined by dignity and compassion,” the statement read.

According to the statement, her passing is deeply felt by the Shagari family and all who knew her.

“Further details and funeral arrangements would be announced in due course. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement added.

Hajiya Sutura was the widow of Shehu Shagari, Nigeria’s first democratically elected executive president, who served from 1979 to 1983, under the banner of the National Party of Nigeria.

Born on February 25, 1925, in Shagari village in present-day Sokoto State, Shagari was a teacher, administrator, and politician who rose through the ranks of public service to become a minister in several federal ministries before winning the presidential election in 1979.

His administration focused on housing, education, agriculture, and industrialisation under the “Green Revolution” policy.

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Shagari’s presidency was, however, cut short on December 31, 1983, following a military coup led by then Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.

He passed away on December 28, 2018, at the age of 93.

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