According to a statement released by Mary Noel Berje, spokesperson for the governor of Niger state, Mohammed Wushishi, who was the chief of army staff in the Second Republic during the Shehu Shagari presidency, died on Saturday at a London hospital at the age of 81.
Governor of Niger, Abubakar Bello, was quoted as expressing grieve over the development and commiserated with the family of the late general.
Part of the statement read, “Niger state Governor and Chairman North Central Governors Forum (NCGF), Abubakar Sani Bello, has sympathised with the people of Wushishi local government area, Kontagora Emirate and the entire Nigerlites over the death of an elder statesman Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi (Rtd).
“The Chairman North Central Governors Forum said government and people of Niger State are indeed saddened by the demise of the Former Chief of Army staff who coordinated the activities of elder statesmen in the state over the years and made immense contributions to the peace, growth and development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
“The Governor maintained that even after active service, late Gen. Wushishi continued to offer useful counsel that helped in the development of the society.
“He said the death of Gen. Wushishi has created a vacuum that can only be filled by Allah, pointing out that the society will miss his wise counsel which are most needed now in overcoming the numerous challenges that have bedevilled Nigeria in general.
“The Chairman, NCGF, prayed Allah to forgive all the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Aljahna Firdausi as well as give the entire people of the state and close associates the fortitude to bear the great loss.
“This loss is for all Nigerians considering the very many contributions the deceased has made in uniting the country as a soldier and ensuring its growth and development.”
Late general was born on January 1, 1940, in Wushishi, Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State. He attended Wushishi junior primary school from 1947 to 1950, Paiko junior primary school from 1951 to 1952 and Minna senior primary school from 1953 to 1954.
He was at the Bida Provincial Secondary School between 1955 and 1960, Mons Officer Cadet School Aldershot United Kingdom (UK) from 1961 to 1962 after which he proceeded to Nigerian Military Training College in 1963, Staff College Camberly UK in 1972 and US Army War College 1978 to 1979.
