PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan will lead a memorial prayer in Monduli tomorrow to honor former Prime Minister Edward Sokoine's enduring legacy, fostering a moment of national reflection and reverence.

Arusha Regional Commissioner, Paul Makonda emphasized the importance of citizen participation in the commemoration during a press conference held today, April 11, 2024, in Arusha.

Describing the late Sokoine as a man of great value and exceptional work ethic, Makonda stressed the significance of honoring and emulating his contributions through dedication and hard work in our own pursuits.

“The late Sokoine was a brilliant and confident leader that strived in projecting development aspects with no fear despite the challenges,” he said.

Makonda, visited the late Sokoine’s main residence in Enguiki, Monduli where he inspected the preparations progress scheduled to happen tomorrow to commemorate 40 years of his passing.
Furthermore, Makonda insisted that the gates will be open from 6am in the morning an event that will also engage other dignitaries from the government.

Annually since 1992, the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) commemorates the death anniversary of the iconic leader due to his hard-working spirit and always fought for development and prosperity in the agricultural sector and food security for Tanzanians especially in rural areas.

Sokoine died in a motor vehicle accident along the Dodoma-Dar es Salaam highway, after attending a National Assembly session in the designated national capital.

The accident occurred at Wami-Dakawa in Morogoro when the car in which he was travelling, a Mercedes Benz sedan, was rammed head-on by a Toyota Land-Cruiser (J- 40 model) which was reportedly being driven by a South African ‘freedom fighter’, one ‘Dumisan Dube.’

The late Sokoine was a historical ‘two-term’ Prime Minister of Tanzania having first served from February 13, 1977 to November 7, 1980 and then again from February 24, 1983 until his unfortunate death on the 12th of April 1984 (coincidentally it was also on Thursday).

He was 45 years old when he died and left behind two wives and several children.