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<p dir="ltr">Written By Bello Bala Shagari</p><div class="s5LFAo0I" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p dir="ltr">While I understand that Barrister Solomon Dalung does not mean any harm by sharing the story, and I am sure his intentions were good, the account has no historical bearing whatsoever. Though it seeks to highlight the unquestionable integrity of two great men, I believe Barr. Dalung was misled.</p><div class="ba9hFB6z" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p dir="ltr">To begin with, Shehu Shagari was never the Private Secretary to Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister a role that functioned as a liaison between the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament. His responsibilities were strictly official, such as preparing answers to parliamentary questions directed to the Prime Minister and carrying out government business on the floor of the House on his behalf. It had nothing to do with the Prime Minister’s personal or domestic affairs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Moreover, Shagari had an understanding with Prime Minister Balewa that allowed him to continue his educational work in Sokoto while attending parliamentary sessions in Lagos. This arrangement placed him outside the scope of the Prime Minister’s personal duties. In fact, Shagari himself resisted appearing as though he was the Prime Minister’s secretary, being a parliamentarian in his own right. This led to his request to be relieved of the role and return to Sokoto. These events took place in 1958, before Nigeria’s independence. By 1959, Shagari was already appointed a Minister.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">It is also important to note that the idea of a Parliamentary Secretary having the authority to order a “presidential jet” for the personal use of the Prime Minister’s family is inconceivable. At the time, Nigeria had a ceremonial President, and if there was such a thing as a “presidential jet,” it would have been attached to his office—not that of the Prime Minister. Unlike an executive president, the Prime Minister’s powers were limited and certainly not extended to casually using state property for private matters.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Most importantly, Shagari’s personal principles make the story implausible. Even as President, he barred his family from using presidential aircraft, insisting they fly commercially with Nigeria Airways. Friends often had to privately arrange chartered flights for his family because of his strict stance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I recall an incident with my father, Capt. Bala Shagari, who once visited Lagos. On his return, the ADC purchased a ticket for him. When President Shagari learned of it, he firmly instructed that his ticket must always be bought personally, since he was not an employee of the State House.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This level of integrity and restraint defined Shagari’s public service. Therefore, while the story may have been told in admiration, it is historically inaccurate and misrepresents the true character and role of Shehu Shagari.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Even if the story has some truth in it, the obvious inaccuracies in it has totally invalidated It.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bello Bala Shagari,<br />
Active researcher on the life of Alhaji Shehu Shagari.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bello Bala Shagari is also the grandson of former Late President Shehu Shagari</p>
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