Sokoto State governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has directed the total renovation of the first private residence of former President Shehu Shagari, which was gutted by fire last week.
The governor gave the directive shortly after visiting the burnt building to assess the extent of damage caused by the inferno.
He described the inferno as catastrophic and unfortunate, describing the burnt house as historic not only to Sokoto State but the country as a whole.
“To us, this house is of great historical importance being the first residence of the former Nigeria’s first democratically-elected President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari.
“Its like a historical monument to the upcoming generation, therefore, we’ll renovate this house,” Governor Aliyu added.
Governor Aliyu commiserated with the family of the late President over the inferno and prayed Almighty Allah to prevent the recurrence of the disaster.
He thanked the Almighty Allah that no life was lost in the inferno, and appealed to the family to see it as an act of God.
It could be recalled that the former President’s residence was razed down by fire on Saturday, November 18, 2023, leading to loss of many properties.
The governor was taken round the affected portion of the burnt house by some of the family members of the former President.
He was accompanied on the visit by the APC leader in the State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga; his Deputy, Kabiru Kware; State APC chairmam, Isa Saddiq Achida; Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa; members of the State Executive Council; Special Advisers, and Special Assistants, among others.