Revive Ajaokuta Steel Company, Name It After Shagari, Grandson Tells Buhari

The grandson of former president Shehu Shagari, Bello Bala Shagari, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to revive the Ajaokuta Steel mill in Kogi State and name it after his grandfather.

According to Bello, before 1979, Ajaokuta Steel Mill was nothing but a mere proposal but when the late President Shehu Shagari was sworn-in 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 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 so that the western contractors refused to carry 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, ” Bello said.

According to him, Ajaokuta had so much potential that Audu Ogbeh who later became Minister of Steel under Shagari, said they had plans for a Trans African railway network.

“However, the removal of President Shagari halted the programme. 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 is no better honor that can be done to Shagari than reviving the project and renaming it after him, ” Bello added.