Hajiya Saratu passed away around 3 pm on Monday after a long illness.
By Kehinde Okeowo .
Hajiya Saratu Shehu-Shagari, the last surviving wife of Nigeria’s former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has passed away at the age of 89.
Her death was announced on Monday in a statement issued by Captain Bala Shagari, the late President’s eldest son and Sarkin Mafaran Shagari.
According to him, Hajiya Saratu died around 3 p.m. on Monday after a long illness.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Hajiya Saratu Shagari, the last surviving wife of former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, GCFR, Turakin Sokoto,” the statement read.
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Captain Bala Shagari added that his late father’s widow was “an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, who lived a life of dignity.”
Her husband, Shehu Shagari, served as Nigeria’s president from 1979 to 1983, under the banner of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
He started as a teacher and administrator before rising through the ranks of public service to become a minister in several federal ministries after joining politics and ultimately became the president.
His presidency was, however, cut short on December 31, 1983, following a military coup led by then Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.
Shagari passed away on December 28, 2018, at the age of 93.
