Ernest Shonekan, former chairman of United African Company and ex-head of Nigeria’s National Interim Government, dies at age of 85
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Ernest Shonekan’s death has thrown many Nigerians into mourning, among them are; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his counterpart in Imo, Hope Uzodimma.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the death of the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, came as a shock to him.
Ernest Shonekan died today at the age of 85.
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Shonekan, ex-head of Nigeria’s Interim National Government, dies at 85
In a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, Lawan condoles with Chief Ernest Shonekan’s family, the Government and people of Ogun State over the death of the former Nigerian leader.
“My condolences go to the family of Chief Shonekan, the Government and people of Ogun State and entire Nigeria over this great loss.
“Chief Shonekan was a lawyer, business captain, boardroom guru and statesman. But he will be most remembered for heeding the nation’s call to duty at a very turbulent period in the history of Nigeria.
“Chief Shonekan’s services as Chairman of the Transitional Council and later as Head of the Interim National Government were selfless and contributed greatly to saving the Nigerian ship from hitting the rock,” Lawan says.
The Senate President prays for the sweet repose of the soul of the elder statesman and for his loved ones the fortitude to bear his loss.
Obaseki, in mourning, Ernest Shonekan, says: “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 Imo State, Hope Uzodimma says in Shonekan, Nigeria loses a patriot
In a statement signed by his media aide, Oguwike Nwachuku, he says Uzodimma is in pain over the sad news of the passing of former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
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 the private and public sectors for the realisation of that dream.
Governor Uzodimma said Chief Shonekan’s legacy in the 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 statesmanlike 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 the 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.