SOKOTO– President Goodluck Jonathan says former President Shehu Shagari is a role model to Nigerian leaders especially the members of the National Council of state.
”He is a role model, always very calm and always want Nigeria to grow and be united,” Jonathan added.
Jonathan spoke in Sokoto today (Wednesday) when he led four other former Heads of state to felicitate with Shagari on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
”Shagari has been diligently serving Nigeria in many capacities since during his youthful age.
” He has been working diligently and tirelessly too to keep Nigeria one and peaceful, and he has never stopped,” he added.
While congratulating Shagari on the occasion, the president prayed God to continue to give the former president wisdom, piety and strength to work for the unity and peace of Nigeria.
All the four former Heads of state on the entourage also eulogised Shagari at 90, saying that, he is an elder statesman to the core.
The former leaders include Chief Ernest Shonekan and retired Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Speaking separately the leaders agreed that Nigerians have a lot to learn from Shagari as he had served the nation with humility, patriotism and dedication.
They described their visit as historic and a token appreciation of his tremendous contributions to the socio-economic development, peace and unity of Nigeria, ” they added.
In his response Shagari commended Jonathan and the four former Heads of state for the gesture, saying that, it would l spur him to do more for the nation.
” We will continue to support Jonathan to work for the country and move it forward,” Shagari, said.
The occassion featured the presentation of a birthday card signed by the leaders, to the celebrant.
It also featured the cutting of a birthday cake by Shagari.
(NAN)
