The South Eastern Muslims Organization of Nigeria (SEMON), on behalf of Ndigbo Muslims of Nigeria, has joined millions of Nigerian compatriots and other nationalities to condole the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Sokoto State Government and the family of Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

SEMON described Shagari’s death as “a monumental loss to the nation and democracy, owing to the fact that the late Shagari’s wealth of democratic experiences was still required as a source of strength in the continuous push to fix Nigeria.” The late Shagari, SEMON maintained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, was a poster boy for Nigeria’s democracy and a backbone for the success of many Nigerian patriots, especially the youths, in entrenching and stabilising democratic norms and culture in the country.

SEMON in the statement signed by the National Chairman, Muhammad Obiahu Ajah Jr., and Public Relations Officer, Farouk Onyedikachi Abugu, urged both the federal and Sokoto State governments “to immortalise the great leader whose service to the nation was remarkable and far-reaching.”

It commended “the practical re-union of Buhari’s and Shagari’s families who would often recall the military events of 1984,” asking them to take past happenings as the struggle for national goodness and direction. SEMON lauded Shagari’s magnanimity in forgiving all his offenders before his death, “an act that is a very fundamental teaching in Islam.”

“He lived a worthy life. The death of great men is felt by men of substance. Nigerians all over will miss him. He was incorruptible just like President Muhammadu Buhari. He tried his best to develop Nigeria. We pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul-Firdaus. We also pray for Allah’s guidance for his family and entire members of the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria,” SEMON said.