
The Son of the former military head of State, Bello Bala Shagari has urged President Mohammed Buhari Administration to rename the Ajaokuta Steel Company After his late father, Sheu Shagari, According to him the project was founded by his father and it 84% completes before Sheu Shagari was overthrown.
In his Statement released via his Facebook handle to Gistcore media, he said “Before 1979, Ajaokuta Steel Milll was nothing but a mere proposal. However, when Late President Shehu Shagari was sworn into office, it became his priority project. In fact, technically speaking, Ajaokuta Steel Company itself was founded in 1979.
This revolutionary project was probably the reason why the western powers supported the removal of President Shagari from office. It may not be the sole reason, but it it is sure among other reasons.
When Shagari was embarking on the project, he was discouraged by some foreign powers in the west, but he insisted on carrying out the project nevertheless with so much vigour and enthusiasm. He wanted it completed by 1983 just like Abuja.
So much that the western contractors refused carrying out the project which at that time was the most expensive single investment Nigeria has ever made. Shagari had to resolve in contracting the Soviets which obviously didn’t go well with the United States especially. Because it was during the cold war, just after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. So there was so much politics involved, but Shagari wanted it done by hook or by crook.
Ajaokuta had so much potential that Audu Ogbeh who later become Minister of Steel under Shagari, said they had a plans for a Trans African railway network. However, the removal of President Shagari halted the program. At that time the Ajaokuta Steel was 84% completed.
I therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari, to consider renaming Ajaokuta after the late President in the fulfillment of his promise to immortalize him. There’s no better honor that can be done to Shagari than reviving the project and renaming it after him”
President Mohammed Buhari Administration has embarked on massive renovation and reconstruction of Ajaokuta Steel company after being abandoned by past administrations.
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