December 05, (THEWILL) – A former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant-General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi, has died. He was 81 years old.
Wushishi, who served as COAS from October 1981 to October 1983, died on Saturday at a London hospital, in the United Kingdom (UK).
His death was confirmed in a statement by Mary Noel Berje, spokesperson to the governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello.
Governor Bello described Wushishi’s death as a great loss to the state and the nation, considering his statesmanship roles over the years.
“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 statement read.
Gov. Bello prayed to Allah to forgive all the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him Aljahna Firdaus. He also prayed the entire people of the state and the deceased’s close associates will have the fortitude to bear the loss.
Born in Wushishi North Nigeria and of Nupe from Niger State, in 1940, Gen. Wushishi joined the army on April 21, 1961, and attended the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna and then the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot in the United Kingdom.
Wushishi was commissioned as a second lieutenant on January 12, 1962. He later attended the United States War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
He also severed as a member of the United Nations Peace Keeping force in Congo in the early 1960s and was appointed Deputy Commandant, Army School of Infantry in July 1975.
Wushishi served as Federal Commissioner for Industries (January 1975 – March 1976) and was a member of the Supreme Military Council from 1976 to 1978, before serving as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) between October 1981 and October 1983 during the Shehu Shagari administration.
He was compulsorily retired on January 3, 1984, after the December 31, 1983, coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
After retirement, he went into business, serving as chairman of the board of directors of UAC of Nigeria, retiring on January 1, 2010, at age 70.
Gen. Wushishi was also Chairman of the board of UPDC (property development), a director of Stanbic IBTC Bank and MTS first Wireless, and a member of the board of Acorn Petroleum.
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