PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is to lead Tanzanians in a special memorial prayer for the former Prime Minister Edward Sokoine scheduled for 12th April, 2024 in Monduli.

The PM’s family spokesperson, Lembris Kipuyo told a press conference here yesterday that the event will mark the 40th anniversary of the late premier who died in a road crush at Dakawa area along the Dodoma –Morogoro highway.

He said this year the family in collaboration with the Sokoine Memorial Foundation decided to hold the annual event at Enguiki village in Monduli where he was born, contrary to other years where the event was held at different places.

“The memorial services will be graced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and to be attended by religious and high-level leaders, traditional leaders and members of the public” he said.

The spokesperson noted that during the special memorial prayers, participants are reminded of the late Sokoine’s patriotism and hard work to bring about just and sustainable development to the nation.

He said Sokoine is remembered due to his commitment, hard work, and tireless effort to the development of Tanzania focusing greatly on the ordinary people whereby the majority are farmers.

He added that the former PM initiated what was known as “Operation Pambana na Wahujumu Uchumi” which was very fruitful as he managed to bring order by clearing briberies, grand corruptions, embezzlements of government funds, and bureaucracies in a very short time.”

He also never feared anyone in his endeavour to escalate the high rate of black and white colour organized crimes, saying: “Sokoine was a big name in his time in office and will remain popular for many centuries to come because he was truly a leader who did great things for the nation of Tanzania.”

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), which was established through his efforts is one of the institutions that annually celebrate the life of the late PM.

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.