Preceded by Denis Marshall Children 5 Party Chama Cha Mapinduzi Nationality Tanzanian Name William Shija Succeeded by William Ngeleja | Political party CCM Role Tanzanian Politician Resting place Sengerema District Spouse(s) Getruda Peter Shija Education Howard University | |
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Born 28 April 1947
Tanganyika ( 1947-04-28 ) Alma mater Howard University (PhD) Died October 4, 2014, London, United Kingdom | ||
William Ferdinand Shija (28 April 1947 – 4 October 2014) was a Tanzanian politician and the immediate former Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He had also served as a member of the African Union's Pan-African Parliament.
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Early life and career
Before entering politics, Shilja worked as a civil servant and a teacher. After receiving higher education in India and the United States, he taught communications in Tanzania.
Politics
Shija was a member of the National Assembly of Tanzania from 1990 to 2005. During this time he held the positions of Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education; Minister for Information and Broadcasting; Minister for Energy and Minerals; and Minister for Industries and Trade. He was a member of the Pan-African Parliament in 2004 and 2005 and chaired the Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources. He was appointed the first African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on September 9, 2006 and took up the position on January 1, 2007. His term will last five years.
Personal life
Shija is married with five children. Since assuming the post of Secretary-General of the CPA, he has lived in London. Dr. Shija was a patron for a Welsh based charity that works extensively in Tanzania.
Death
He died on 4 October 2014 in London. He was buried in his home village of Nyampande in Sengerema District, Mwanza Region.