Former Senator representing Plateau Southern Zone, retired General John Nanzip Shagaya, has died following a ghastly motor accident.
General Shagaya was recently appointed as the Chairman National Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (NIPSS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A family source confirmed in Jos that the former Senator died in a ghastly motor accident on his way to Jos from Langtang on Sunday.
Late Senator Shagaya was born on September, 2nd 1942 to Mallam Sikji Miri Wazhi alias SHAGAYA and Mrs. Maryamu Zwancit. He attended Junior Primary School at Nyer and Sudan United Mission (S.U.M) Primary School, Langtang between 1952-1959, and later the Nigeria Military School (N.M.S) Zaria in 1960-1964.
After Graduation from the Nigeria Military school, Zaria, young Shagaya got posted to the Nigerian Army Corps then (Recce Squadron) before attending the first short service Combatant Commission Course at Nigeria Defence Academy (N.D.A) Kaduna, in 1967. He was posted to 3 Marine Commando upon commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant where he participated in the Nigeria Civil War from1967-1970.
After the civil War, John started a long and successful march to command a West Africa Multinational Force (ECOMOG) as a Major General. He became the first Field Commander to chair the Conference of the Joint Chief of Staff of the enlarged ECOMOG having Commanded the 1st Mechanized Division in the Nigerian Army including a Platoon, Company, Battalion and Brigade.
Senator John Shagaya is the longest serving member of the Federal Minister of Internal Affairs and a former member, Armed Forces Ruling Council, member of the Police Council and member, National Boundary Commission all between August, 1985-December, 1989. While a Federal Minister, he served as Chairman of the controversial Organization of Islamic Conference (O.I.C) Committee in 1987. The Committee was set up to resolve Nigeria’s alleged Permanent Membership of the O.I.C.
Between the same period as Minister of Internal Affairs, Shagaya served as the Chairman of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the ECOWAS Sub-region and helped draft the ECOWAS PROTOCOLS 1, II &III. He was also the Minister of Internal Affairs of Benin, Nigeria and Chad, helping to resolve Nigeria’s International Boundaries problem with neighbours.
Due to Senator John Shagaya’s interest in Military history, he was made the Chairman of the National War Museum and was a member of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments between 1984-1986. His efforts resulted in the establishment of the historic Umuahia complex of the National War Museum and the National Museum of Colonial History at Aba in Abia State.
Other important military appointments held during Shagaya’s military career include; The Military Secretary Army, Army Headquarters, Directing Staff Command and Staff college- Jaji, Director of Cadets- Nigerian Defence Academy, Grade Three staff officer Nigeria Army School of Infantry- Jaji. He was described throughout his career by his superiors and assessors as the soldiers’ soldier. He was one of the few Nigerian Military Officers who, between the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and Major General, attended every professional course commensurate to that age and rank. His performances at military Institutions in USA earned him the Honorary Citizenship of six states. At the Royal college of Defence Studies (1990), he became the second Nigerian to earn an academic prize for his research work, the first being the Late General ID Bissalla in 1974. On 16th November, 2000, Shagaya was conferred with the National Honour of ‘Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic’ (OFR) by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Aremu Kikiola Obasanjo. He was elected Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District on the 21st of April, 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
In addition to being an active politician, Senator Shagaya OFR was Director of Lion Bank (Nig.) Plc between 1998-2003. Senator John Shagaya has just concluded work on a book, ‘The Tarok History’ after having already published and presented two other books, ‘Governance in Nigeria’ ‘The IBB ERA’ an Insider’s View and ‘The Ministry of Internal affairs an Overview’. He has participated in many international seminars on Peace Keeping such as ‘The ECOMOG Experience’ and ‘Conflicts and Resolutions’.
His Educational, Military qualifications, Awards and Decorations include:
- Boys Intermediate and Senior Examination Certificate ( British Army’s Equivalent of WAEC Certificate.)
- Advance Diploma in Religious Studies.
- A fellow of the Nigerian Institute Management.
- A graduate of Royal College of Defence Studies with an Associate Masters in Degree in Defence Studies.
- A graduate of two Staff Colleges.
- Marines Staff College USA and Army Command and Staff College Jaji.
- A degree of Doctors of letters (St. Clements University Australia) 1998.
- Traditional titles include; Damburam Langtang II, Akaraka I of Ibeku, Otun-Akogun I of Ikose-Kosofeland, Lagos and Dike Ogu- Asa Bielere.
- The Chairman, Nigerian/Taiwan (ROC) Chambers of Commerce.
- ECOWAS Distinguish Service Medal.
- Republic of Liberia’s Distinguish Service Star Nigerian Armed Forces Medal.
- ‘Distinguish Service Star’
- Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth.
- A Patron, Boys Scout of Nigeria, Plateau chapter.
- A Patron, PLACIMA Plateau State.
- A Patron National Youth Forum.
- A Patron, African Youth Congress.
- President General, Nimbar Community Development Association.
- Member, Board of Trustees of Four Golf Clubs in Nigeria; (IBB-IGC Abuja, Ray Field Golf Club, Lamingo Golf Club and Ikeja Lagos).
- Senator Dr JN Shagaya is married with a wife and five Children (3 boys & 2 girls.) Hobbies include, Golf, Reading, Hunting and Travelling [myad]
