From John Adams, Minna

The Niger State Government has described the late former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi (retd), who died on Saturday at a London hospital, as a disciplined and dedicated officer who distinguished himself in his professional career.

The state government in a statement in Minna on Sunday, by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Metane while condoling the family of the late Gen. Wushishi, said he was a perfect gentleman, Father, Soldier and an administrator of high ethics and impeccable morality.

According to Metane, the government and people of the 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.

Related: Ex-Army Chief Gen Wushishi dead at 81

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, adding that society will miss his wise counsels which are most needed now in overcoming the numerous challenges that have bedevilled Nigeria in general.

Related: Niger SSG mourns former COAS Wushishi

“This loss is for all Nigerians considering the very many contributions the late former Chief of Army Staff has made in uniting the country as a soldier and ensuring its growth and development.

“His fatherly role to many was not in doubt, he will greatly be missed however, death is a path we all must follow. My prayers are with the immediate family members, all people of the state and indeed Nigerians.”

Late Gen. Wushishi was born on the 1st January 1940 in Wushishi, Wushishi local government area of Niger state, he attended Wushishi Junior Primary school from 1947 to 1950, Pailko Junior primary school from 1951 to 1952, 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.

The deceased became a Commissioned Regular Officer in 1962, a second lieutenant in 1961, platoon commander 1962 to 1964, Battalion Adjutant General in 1968 to 1969, sector commander from 1969 to 1971, Deputy commander school of Infantry from 1972 to 1975, Federal commissioner for Industries in 1975, General Officer Commanding, 4 Infantry Division Nigerian Army Staff College Jaji in 1979, Chief of Army Staff in 1981 and later promoted to Lieutenant General, the rank he was until he retired from the Nigerian Army.

Based on his meritorious service to the nation, late Gen Wushishi received several honours and awards including Commander of the Order of the Niger (CFR) in 1981, decorated with Republic Medal (RM), Defence Service Medal (DSM), Nigerian Crisis Medal, National Service Medal, United Nations Medal for service in The Congo (Zaite) in 1961.

Late Gen. Wushishi who died at a London hospital, at the age of 81, is survived by his wife Kande Mohammed Wushishi and seven children, among them the Former Commissioner for investment in the last administration in Niger state Kabiru Muhammadu Wushishi.

-Sun