John Nanzip Shagaya; Soldier, administrator who served as minister of internal affairs, 1985-91 under General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime. Shagaya was born September 2, 1943 in Langtang, Plateau Stat. Shagaya had been one of General Babangida’s boys, so much so that the Head of State accompanied him to the bestownment upon him of a traditional title[i]. John Shagaya who was General Officer Commanding l Division Kaduna, served as a senator in the 6th National Assembly of Nigeria[ii].
Shagaya was educated at Sudan United Mission Primary School, Langtang, 1953-59; Nigerian Military School, Zaria, 1960-64; Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1967; Nigerian Military Training College (Young Officers Course), Jaji, 1970; Command and Staff College, Jaji, 1977-78; Marines Staff College,USA, 1979-80. He was appointed platoon commander, 3rd Marine Commando, 1967-68; company commander, 3rd Marine Commando, 1968-69; commanding officer, 2nd Guards Battalion, 2 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, 1969-70; general staff officer 3 (Training), Nigerian Military Training College, Jaji, 1970-72; commanding officer, 2nd Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade, 1973-75; brigade major, 1st Infantry Brigade, Nigerian Army, 1977; field commander, West Africa Peace Keeping Force, ECOMOG, Liberia; major-general, 1993; director of cadets, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1978-79; directing staff, Command and Staff College, Jaji, 1980-82; deputy military secretary I, Army headquarters, Lagos, 1982-83; brigade commander 9th Mechanised Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Lagos, 1984-85[iii].
Unlike Abacha who did not want any other visible star beside him, Babangida as Head of State had kept the company of Mumuni Aminu, Abubakar Umar, David Mark whom he nurtured and encouraged [iv] as part of his military oligarchy.
[i] The NEWS, July 17, 1995
[ii] Guardian, June 12, 2013
[iii] Newswatch, September 8, 2008
[iv] TELL, May 20, 1996
