Dr Jamilu Gwamna, the Sardaunan Gombe, said the late former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, left a legacy of peace for Nigerians.
Gwamna told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Saturday in Gombe, that Shagari was a lover of peace and a true Nigerian.
He said Shagari ensured that peace remained the priority of his associates, and that this was a valuable lesson to Nigerians.
According to him, the late former president’s fatherly role of promoting peaceful co-existence in the country cut across party line, religion, ethnicity and tribe.
“The late former President was a man that believed that peace solved all problems. He acted peace and talked peace. He insisted that those who associated with him followed the path of peace.
“His fatherly role in making sure that peace reigns in the country will be missed. Well, as far as I am concerned, he left us a legacy of peace and humility.
“The late Shagari symbolised everything that young Nigerians need to provide the needed positive change in whatever capacities they found themselves. They must emulate him to build the Nigeria of our dream,’’ he said.
Gwamna appealed to Nigerians to see the death of the late president as an opportunity to forgive one another and toe the line of peace for the country to be a better place.
He added: “We are Nigerians, we must live in peace and do the right thing, especially as elections beckon if we must be united for growth and development.
Malam Mohammed Ismail, 86-year-old resident of Bolari East, described late Shagari as a man of unique leadership trait who preferred democratic solutions to all problems that came his way.
Ismail noted that the late president would be greatly missed at a time Nigeria needed his fatherly advice for the current security situation in the country.
Shagari died on Dec. 28, at the National Hospital, Abuja at the age of 93.
He served as the first democratically elected President of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983. (NAN)
