By Uche Amunike
The family of late President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari has lost their Matriach, Hajiya Hadiza Shehu Shagari to the cold hands of death.
She died in the early hours of 12th August 2021 after a battle with the dreaded COVID-19.
Her demise happened at the Isolation centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
News of her death was made public by one of the sons of the late former president, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, who also announced that her funeral will take place later in the day immediately after the Asr prayer that will be held at the National Mosque, Abuja.
The late Hajiya Hadiza Shagari died at the age of 80.
Meanwhile Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has reached out in condolence to the family of the late Shehu Shagari.
He expressed his condolences in a statement disclosed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, which he titled, President Buhari condoles with former President Shehu Shagari’s family over the passing of Hajiya Hadiza Shehu.
He lauded her in glowing terms, saying that the late Hajiya Hadiza was a great pillar of strength and support in her family. He went on to extol her for being in charge of the family all those times her husband was busy serving the nation.
He also commiserated with the government and Sokoto indigenes while making a call for the entire family to be thankful that she lived her life, doing good to people.
He also prayed for the repose of her soul, while asking that Allah will reward her with the gift of paradise.
Hajiya Hadiza, is just one, out of the numerous Nigerians that have lost their lives to COVID-19. Unfortunately, Nigeria is one of the countries that has recorded a high rate of the second wave of the COVID-19 scourge.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, the COVID-19 Delta Variant has recorded over 700 new cases, as at Wednesday against the 610 figure it had on record just a day prior.
Reports have it that the sudden rise in the rate of the pandemic and it’s spread is caused by the maximally transmissible Delta variant.
This is why the Federal government has relentlessly called on Nigerians to stick to measures that will aid in preventing the disease from spreading, by adhering to all COVID-19 protocol, especially as doctors just embarked on their strike and the numbers of cases keep going up steadily.
States where the Delta Variant has steadily increased, include Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Oyo, Rivers and the FCT.
The spread has increased to so many other states apart from Anambra and Bayelsa with two cases each, while Plateau has only one.
Kano, on the other hand, Kaduna and Nassarawa are not affected.
Nigerians have been advised to take the vaccination which offers better protection more than a provides natural immunity for adults that have been previously infected with the disease from getting re-infected.
The late Alhaja Hadiza was married to the late Shehu Shagari who died on 28 December, 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria at the age of 93.
He was the 6th president of Nigeria and was in office from 1st October 1979 to 31st December, 1983.
