Buhari, Obasanjo, Atiku, Govs, others pay tribute as former head, ING, Shonekan dies at 85

MICHAEL-AZEEZ OGUNSIJI, Abeokuta and VICTOR DURUAMAKU, Owerri

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has received with profound sadness the news of the death of a great statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

 

On behalf of the Federal Government, the President has extended deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.

 

This was contained in a statement by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

It read in part: “As an internationally-respected statesman, President Buhari affirms that, with courageous wisdom, Chief Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.

 

“The President notes that Chief Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace  and unity transcend the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.

“President Buhari believes that Nigeria owes a great debt to Chief Shonekan, the peacemaker, who even at the twilight of his life time never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.

“The President prays that the memory of the departed Head of Government will remain a blessing to Nigeria even as he finds perfect peace with Almighty God. Shonekan’s reign was interim, but his contributions enduring

 

“It is with a sad heart that I received the news of the death of the former Head of State and Chairman of the defunct Interim National Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan.

 

“My grief is not predicated not just on the demise of the elder statesman, because he died at a prime age.

“However, his exit at a time when the country would need his skills and global connections in finding solutions to many of our intractable challenges is quite saddening.

 

“Either as a politician or a boardroom guru, Chief Shonekan possessed a unique set skill of bringing stability to a tumultuous situation.

 

“That obviously was the consideration that made him become Head of the Interim National Government following the crises that greeted the events after the June 12 Presidential election.

 

“Although his reign as Head of State was interim, Chief Shonekan’s contribution to the peace and development of Nigeria in those days and latter years, remain enduring.

 

“My condolences go to his immediate family, the people and government of Ogun State and the entire nation for the loss of a man of industry and intellect, who lived a life of service to the country and humanity. It is my prayer that God almighty receives his soul in a peaceful repose.

 

Also,  A former President,  Olusegun Obasanjo has described former Head of the Interim National Government (ING), late Chief Ernest Shonekan as a unifying force for the nation.

 

He declared that, his contribution to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

 

Obasanjo in a condolence letter to Mrs. Margaret Shonekan, copy of which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the late business mogul was “a role model and an epitome of the good in the nation’s business firmament of mixed blessings.

 

“He would be remembered as a man of sustained strongwill to succeed. Coming from humble background, rising, stepping and peaking at the topmost plum in corporate management, and the very top of the giant United Africa Company (UAC) ladder, attest to his sagacity, tenacity and steadfastness.

“He founded, in 1994, the Economic Summit Group, an advocacy group and think tank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian economy, and it remains, till today, sustaining the legacy of helping to support stakeholders in the execution of policies, programmes and strategies in response to any emerging trends in national and global economies.”

 

Obasanjo who while currently on international assignment as the High Representative of the African Union for the Horn of Africa, received “with great shock, the news of the death of one of the illustrious sons of Africa, a community leader, a distinguished business baron and an exemplary leader in the private sector and, of course, the former Chairman of UAC Nigeria Limited, Chief Ernest Shonekan, with an admixture of joy for a life well spent and sadness for the loss of a beloved man after God’s heart.”

 

On the political scene, Obasanjo noted that, “Chief Shonekan, as the Interim National Government in Nigeria in1993, though short-lived for the period of three months through the palace coup orchestrated by General Sani Abacha, rendered outstanding service to our country, and we will never forget that.

 

“It is also worthy of note that as Special Envoy on the Implementation of the Abuja Agreement on Zimbabwe in 2001 under my administration as the President of Nigeria; and Chairman, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) under Yar’Adua’s administration in 2008, he was forthright, dedicated and showed great patriotism in the discharge of his duties.

 

“He was a unifying force for the nation and his contribution to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot be forgotten in a hurry. In all situations, he lived nobly and he died in nobility. He was an achiever.  Indeed, Chief Shonekan died at a time the country is in dire need of his leadership, wealth of experience and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the nation,” Obasanjo was quoted as having said.

 

In Shonekan, Nigeria loses a patriot, says Uzodimma

 

Similarly, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is in pains over the sad news of the passing of former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

 

Shonekan, Head of Interim National Government between August 26 and November 17, 1993, reportedly died on Monday in Lagos, aged 85.

 

He succeeded former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and barely three months in office, was ousted in a palace coup by late Gen. Sani Abacha.

 

In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Chief Shonekan’s death was painful because in it, Nigeria has lost a patriot.

 

The Governor said Chief Shonekan was one of the Nigerian statesmen and legal luminary who believed in the unity, progress and development of the country and actually worked hard in private and public sector for the realisation of that dream.

 

Uzodimma said Shonekan legacy in United African Company (UAC) of Nigeria will always speak volume and that Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the reason he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in 1994, an advocacy body and think tank for private sector-driven development of the Nigerian economy.

 

He regretted that the country has lost Chief Shonekan, a boardroom icon,  when his fatherly and statesmanly pieces of advice were highly needed.

Governor Uzodimma specifically commiserated with the widow, Chief Mrs Margaret Shonekan, the entire Shonekan family, his friends and the Government and people of Ogun State over the loss.

 

The Governor, on behalf of his family and the people of Imo State, also condoled with President  Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians over the passing of Chief Shonekan and prayed God Almighty to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose, and to those he left behind to mourn him, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

 

For his part, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has mourned the death of the former Head of the defunct Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan.

 

Shonekan, who headed the ING between August 26 and November 17, 1993, died on Tuesday at 85 in Lagos hospital.

 

Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, described the death of the Egba- born British-trained lawyer, industrialist and traditional chief, as a colossal loss to Nigeria in general and Ogun State in particular.

 

He expressed grief that Chief Shonekan, former chairman of the UAC Nigeria Plc, passed on at a period Nigeria needed his experience most as a technocrat.

 

“Chief Shonekan was a first-class administrator, boardroom guru and astute leader whose imprint in the business and political firmaments cannot be erased. His commitment to a peaceful resolution and patriotic fervour will live after him.

 

“Chief Shonekan, an Egba traditional chief (Babasale of Egbaland), was a true Nigerian who spent most of his life for the betterment of the country,” he lamented.

 

Similarly, an Egba High Chief and father of Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Alani Bankole described the death of late elder statesman as a tragic loss.

 

Bankole said the Shonekan would be greatly missed by the Egba Christian community and the UK Christian family.

 

 Shonekan’s Abeokuta residence calm after his demise

 

Meanwhile, there was calm at the Abeokuta country home of former Head of Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan on Tuesday hours after his death was announced.

 

The Ogun High Chief died on Tuesday morning at Evercare hospital in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

 

The residence, which is situated beside the popular NUJ Press Centre, Iwe-Irohin House, in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, retains its pervasive serene and forlorn ambiance when our correspondent peered into it.

 

The Shonekan-led ING succeeded the General Ibrahim Babangida military government and the short-lived government lasted between August 26 and November 17, 1993, before he was overthrown in a bloodless coup led by late General Sani Abacha.

 

When our correspondent visited his family houses at Erunwon and Itoko in Abeokuta South local government respectively, the two residences have been deserted by family members except few tenants who declined to speak with our Correspondent as they don’t have tangible information about the late Abese of Egbaland.

 

A childhood friend of the late Shonekan at Erunwon, Mr. Fatai Adio Badmus said although, the late Nigerian leader does not spend much time in Abeokuta during his infant days, but described him as an easy-going and humble person any time he was in Abeokuta for holiday.

 

“He’s a good man during his growing up in Abeokuta. Although, I can’t say much about his educational background because he doesn’t stay much in Abeokuta. He only visited the town when on holiday and during that visitation, he was an easy-going person and related very well with everyone in the community.”

 

Meanwhile the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of former interim Head of National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, at the age of 85.

 

In a statement, Obaseki said: “I am saddened by the passing of Nigeria’s former Interim Head of National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan at the age of 85.

 

“Shonekan was an unassuming leader and a cerebral lawyer, who helped to steady our nation during the turbulent years of Nigeria’s Third Republic.”

 

He continued: “Committed to the good of our dear country, he played his part, making sacrifices to set Nigeria on the path of progress even with the dark clouds that hovered over our affairs in the 1990s.

 

“As the founder of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, his commitment to private and free enterprise remains indelible in the annals of our history.

 

“It is heartbreaking that Chief Shonekan will not be available to offer his priceless advice and guidance as we approach another election season.”

 

He noted that the late Chief Shonekan will be remembered for his fortitude while he was on the saddle as Interim Head of National Government as well as the genuine effort made to guide Nigeria back to democratic rule.

 

“I commiserate with all Nigerians, the Government and people of Ogun State and his immediate family and pray that God grants us all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the governor added.

 

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said he has received the news of the sudden demise of Chief Ernest Shonekan, who headed the Interim National Government that succeeded former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, with shock and great sorrow.

 

In a message of condolence signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Kelvin Ebiri, Governor Wike said Chief Shonekan was a dedicated Nigerian, who was committed to the peace and stability to the country.

 

The governor noted that Chief Shonekan’s strong credentials as an astute administrator enabled him to steadfastly steer the country through one of its most turbulent times.

 

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Rivers State, I offer our deepest condolences to the family, relatives of the former Chairman, Interim National Government and the people of Nigeria.”

 

Governor Wike said Nigeria has lost an elder statesman whose Wisdom, foresight, and steadfast commitment to the country will always be remembered.

 

 

For a better society