Samia to grace special prayers for late Sokoine
ARUSHA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead Tanzanians and other delegates today at special national prayers to commemorate 40 years since the death of former Prime Minister, Edward Sokoine.
The late Sokoine died at the age of 45 years in a road crash on April 12, 1984 at Dakawa area, just a few kilometres from Morogoro as he was heading to Dar es Salaam from Dodoma after attending a National Assembly session.
Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), Paul Makonda confirmed to journalists on Thursday shortly after visiting the late Sokoine’s home village, Enguik in Monduli District.
The RC encouraged Tanzanians especially Arusha residents to turn out in large numbers in memorial prayers of the late former premier.
He further said the preparation for the event is going as planned, adding that the region is ready to host all the dignitaries and other people. In particular, Mr Makonda also described the late Sokoine as an honest man and diligent worker while urging Tanzanians to emulate him.
“Tanzanians ought to pay tribute to the late Sokoine for his hard work and boldness in pushing the country’s various development agenda throughout his lifetime,” Arusha RC asserted.
The late Sokoine was born on August 1, 1938 at his home village of Enguik in Monduli District, Arusha Region. He received his primary and secondary education in Monduli and Umbwe in Kilimanjaro Region respectively.
In 1961 he obtained the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) membership.
Between 1962 and 1963 he went to Germany (East Germany by then) to pursue his education in Public Administration. Immediately after returning to the country, he was appointed as Masai District Executive Officer in charge of Manyara, Arusha, Kiteto, Simanjiro, Longido and Ngorongoro.
Later in 1965, Mr Sokoine was elected as Member of Parliament for Monduli constituency and in 1967, he was appointed by former President Julius Nyerere as Deputy Minister for Communications, Works and Labour.
In 1970, he was reelected as Moduli MP and later appointed as the Minister in the President’s Office and later in 1972 he was appointed Minister of Defence and National Service. In 1975 he also reinstated his position as Monduli lawmaker and reappointed as Minister of Defence and National Service.
