PRINCE MINJA BLOG: This is how the world said goodbye to the late Dr. Shija

Goodbye Dr. William Ferdinand Shija (By Prosper Minja, Parliament of Tanzania)

October 4^th, 2014 the international community of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) lost its great leader. The first black African, Dr. William Ferdinand Shija, a Tanzania by origin, became the CPA Secretary General in 2007, almost a century after the inception of the Association which was established in 1911. The prostate cancer took away his life. To the eyes of human being Dr. Shija is gone, but in the hearts of the committed CPA members he will never go away.

Born in 1947, Dr. Shija studied widely in Tanzania, in India, in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America and worked in various capacities. He worked as a lecturer in various institutions in Tanzania before he became a Member of Parliament. In that capacity he was appointed a minister in various ministries including the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Higher Learning to mention but a few.

Aspirations to serve his community and beyond took Dr. Shija to higher levels and contested for the CPA highest position of which he land-markedly won twice. The CPA community in the Indian region, the Africa region, the Caribbean and Pacific region, Canada and the rest of the CPA world accepted him as the leader who gave the CPA face and direction in terms of leadership, unity and financial base. The solid seven years of his service will go down to history.

Survived by a widow, Mama Getrude Shija, and five children, the remains of the humble man were brought to Tanzania on October 11. The following day the body of the late Dr. Shija received a national funeral ceremony both in Dar es Salaam and in Mwanza, Sengerema at Nyakomba village where he was laid to eternal rest on 13^th of October, 2014.

Thanks to the CPA fraternity world wide for the condolences, comfort and unity shown during the sad and untimely demise of this great son of Africa.

The mourners comfort the widow, Mama Getrude Shija as the body arrived in Dar es Salaam

People are crying

Sargent-at-arms carrying the coffin containing the body of the late Dr. Shija

Government officials receiving the body at the Julius Nyerere International Airport as it arrives from the UK

Mourners at the home of the late Dr. Shija, Kibamba - Dar es Salaam

The family of the late Dr. Shija standing in disbelief

School pupils

His daughter in great sorrow

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete comforts the widow, Mama Getrude Shija, and the family as he just paid his last respect to the body of the late Dr. Shija

The Speaker of the Tanzania National Assembly and the President of CPA Africa region Rt. Hon. Anne Semamba Makinda pays last respect to the body of the late Dr. Shija

Dr. Thomas Kashilila, Clerk of the Tanzania National Assembly comforts the family

Representative from South Africa

Former Prime Minister Hon. Edward Ngoyae Lowassa

Top leaders

Family

CPA Chairperson Tanzania Branch, Hon. Mussa Zungu

The five children of the late Dr Shija giving a testimony of their beloved daddy.

Opposition representative Hon. John John Mnyika

CPA representative (South Africa)

CPA HQ

Handling of the condolence book

Rt. Hon Speaker Makinda

Journey to Sengerema, Mwanza

Deputy Speaker Hon. Job Ndugai receives the widow in Mwanza Airport

A cross-section of mourners during the holy mass

The arrival of the Kenyan representatives led by Senator Moses Wetangula

The widow's last respects

Senator Wetangula greets the family

His Lordship Bishop Renatus Nkwande (Roman Catholic) leads the congregation of clergy and the faithful during holy Mass prayer for the soul of the late Dr. Willian Shija at Nyakomba village in Sengema.