President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of Ernest Shonekan, the former Head of the Interim National Government that succeeded the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Shonekan chaired the Interim government between August 26 and November 17, 1993 when he was removed in a palace coup led by late General Sani Abacha.
A statement released on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 by Adeboye Shonekan, announced the demise of Shonekan who died in Lagos state at the age of 85.
The family in a statement titled, ‘Chief (Dr) Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, GCFR, CBE’ said;
“To the glory of the Almighty, the Shonekan family announces the passing of our patriarch, loving husband to Margaret, dutiful father to us all and former Head of State, Chief Ernest, Adegunle, Oladeinde Shonekan, GCFR, CBE, the Baba Sale of Egbaland.
“He passed this morning of natural causes at the age of 85.
“The family will release further details in due course.”
Mourning Shonekan, President Muhammadu Buhari described him as a peacemaker, who never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.
The President wrote;
“I 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, I extend my deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, his loved ones, and the government and people of Ogun State.
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.
He 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.
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.
I pray that his memory will remain a blessing to Nigeria even as he finds perfect peace with Almighty God.”
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