Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday led eminent Nigerians including ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, former military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, South West Governors and many others to pour tributes on the former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, who passed on on Tuesday at 85.
In a condolence letter to Mrs Margaret Shonekan, copies of which were distributed to newsmen in Abeokuta by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said the late business mogul was “a role model and an epitome of the good in the nation’s business firmament of mixed blessings.”
On the political scene, Obasanjo noted that, “Chief Shonekan, as the Interim National Government in Nigeria in 1993, 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 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.”
Also, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed sadness over the news of the passage.
In a condolence message to his family and the Government of Ogun State, Dr Jonathan described him as “an elder statesman, well-loved for his sincerity and sense of purpose.”
The former President further said: “As a leader, Chief Shonekan was well respected because of the enormous goodwill he brought into governance. He was a compassionate and determined administrator, a peacemaker and bridge-builder who stepped in to lead the nation at a very difficult time in the history of its political evolution.
“Before he assumed office as the head of the Interim National Government in 1993, Chief Shonekan had become a boardroom guru, having established himself as a foremost industrialist and one of the leaders of the business world.
“He left enduring legacies, part of which was his considerable effort towards mainstreaming the private sector in the development drive of the nation, especially with the institutionalisation of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), which he founded.
“He will be remembered for his great wisdom, peaceful disposition, the goodwill he extended to all as well as his significant contributions to the growth of the economy of the nation.”
On his own, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar said that “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 Ernest 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.
In his reaction, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described Shonekan’s death as a colossal loss to Nigeria in general and Ogun State in particular.
Abiodun in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Tuesday, said the Egba born British-trained lawyer, industrialist and traditional chief passed on at a period Nigeria needed his experience most as a technocrat.
Shonekan, who headed the ING between August 26 and November 17 1993, and was a former chairman of the UAC Nigeria Plc., breathed his last in Lagos, early Tuesday at the age of 85.
The statement read, “Chief Shonekan was a first-class administrator, boardroom guru and astute leader whose imprint in the business and political firmaments can not 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,” the statement said.
“While noting that his death has created a huge vacuum in Nigeria, and Egbaland, Abiodun prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and that God will comfort his immediate family and the Egba Traditional Council.
“He will be sorely missed,” the statement concluded.
Also, the governors in the South West described the death of elder statesman as a huge loss to the country.
They said Shonekan was committed to the peace and unity of the country.
The chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu said this in Akure.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, he said the governors “received the news of the death of elder statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan with a heavy heart.
The governor noted that the vast experience of the elder statesman was an asset to the country, particularly with the array of challenges confronting the nation.
He said the late Shonekan was committed to the peace and unity of the country and pursued it with vigor and dedication as a patriot.
Akeredolu noted that the service of the former Head of Interim National Government will never be forgotten in the annals of the history of the country.
“Chief Ernest Shonekan was a Nationalist per excellence.
” His belief in a United and Peaceful Nigeria was unparalleled. He was dedicated to the progress and development of the county. He will be sorely missed.
“His historic and patriotic role in maintaining the unity of the country was one of the many things that endeared him to many.
“He was true, an asset, his counsels were useful for national cohesion and progress.” The Governor said.
The chairman prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest while commiserating with his wife, the government, and the people of Ogun State.
On his part, former Military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, in a statement described Shonekan’s death as a “personal loss.”
He said: “I hadn’t the faintest idea that Chief Ernest Shonekan would depart this sinful world too soon, even at 85. He was a man, a leader and an uncommon patriot who had a presence of mind and whose understanding of Nigeria was profound and remarkable. It is indeed a personal loss to me.
“Chief Ernest Shonekan was one of our cerebral minds during our time in government. He was the architect of our principle of the free-market economy which helped to open up the system for robust participation by the private sector. The liberalisation of the economy, the investment and boost in the agricultural sector and the budget management approach were part of his brainchild.
“I recollect very vividly how he used to give us tutorials on budget, planning and management of national resources, each time he was invited to our session. At each budget year, Chief Shonekan would be invited to critique our budget proposals and give us further input to enrich the final budget. He was a man of ideas and ideals. He was prudent and preached so much about fiscal discipline.
“It was therefore timely for us to appoint him as head of the Interim Government to help stabilize the polity at a most trying period of our country’s political evolution. He was a calm personality whose managerial skills were foretold in the way and manner he managed a lot of blue-chip companies.”
It could be recalled that Babangida annulled Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever presidential election, which was presumably won by multi-millionaire publisher, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
The annulment led eventually to Babangida’s forced exit from power, to be replaced by the Shonekan-led ING and threw the nation into a protracted bloody crisis during which many pro-democracy activists led by the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, were killed, and their properties destroyed, while some of them fled to exile through the “NADECO route.”
Eventually, Shonekan was shoved aside and the late Gen Sani Abacha took over, pushed the country further downwards towards the slope. While the bloody struggle to revalidate the annulled election intensified even under the military jackboot, Abacha’s reign threw Nigeria further downwards into an unmanageable crisis, until he died surprisingly. After him Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar took over, yet the election stood annulled.
Eventually, Abiola too died in detention in controversial circumstances.
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki said that in both his public and private capacities, our 9th Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, played a remarkable role in the development of Nigeria. Through his actions, he always demonstrated a strong commitment to the unity, peace, and prosperity of our great country.
Today, as we join his family, well-wishers, and all Nigerians to mourn the passing of this great statesman, it is my prayer that Almighty God gives the entire nation and his loved ones the courage, strength, and fortitude to bear this monumental loss.
Saddened to hear of the death of Chief Ernest Shonekan, one of Nigeria’s leaders.
Other reactions are: @kemimimiko and I condole with his wife, the grand old Lady Margaret, children and the entire Shonekan family of Abeokuta. He will be greatly missed.
Olusegun Mimiko
Ernest Shonekan is very special to my family. In 1964 he was the lawyer at UAC that gave my father Domino Stores. As chairman of UAC, I would visit him, and he would tell me the challenges he faced that made him decide to close Kingsway stores. Great man. We will miss him dearly.
Ben Murray-Bruce
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said he received the news of the sudden demise of Chief Ernest Shonekan, who headed the Interim National Government that succeeded former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, with shock and great sorrow.
In a message of condolence signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said Shonekan was a dedicated Nigerian, who was committed to the peace and stability to the country.
The governor noted that 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 added that Nigeria has lost an elder statesman whose wisdom, foresight, and steadfast commitment to the country will always be remembered.
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has said that history will be kind to the former Interim Head of the Nigerian government Chief Earnest Shonekan for his bravery and contributions to the peace, unity and development of the nation.
The former President of the Senate has urged the federal government to immortalise Shonekan as a leader who gave his all for the nation to remain peaceful and united.
Senator Mark who joined others to mourn Shonekan, described him as a patriot and gentleman who gave his all for the sake of Nigeria, adding that he will be remembered for his meritorious and selfless services to the nation especially during critical times.
Reacting to the demise of the elder statesman in a statement in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Paul Mumeh, the former President of the Senate noted the finesse, humane and due process Shonekan brought to bear during his short-lived tenure as Interim Head of State for the smooth administration of the Country.
Shonekan was appointed Head of the government during the critical period of national challenges to pilot the affairs of the nation.
Mark noted the entrepreneurial accomplishments of Shonekan as the Chairman of the United Africa Company (UAC) before he was appointed Head of the interim Government as a technocrat to help find solutions to the political quagmire that arose after the annulment of June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The ill-fated election was believed to have been won by business mogul Chief M K O Abiola.
David Mark
Nigeria lost a prominent man– Tanko Yakasai
Former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to the late former President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has said that the death of Chief Shonekan was sad to the county.
According to him, “it was very unfortunate that the country lost a highly intelligent person.”
He added that late Chief Shonekan played a very important role in the nation-building and the development of this country.
“I pray Allah to give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
But pro-democracy activist , former presidential aspirant and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, differed.
Reacting, Sowore said that Shonekan betrayed Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and Nigeria’s quest for genuine democracy before and during the June 12 1993 struggle.
He also said Shonekan was not an interim leader as stated in many news outlets, clarifying that the concept of “Interim National Government” was already nullified by a Lagos High Court also in 1993.
He urged Nigerians to hold Nigerian leaders accountable both when alive and dead.
He wrote: “When I learned of the death of Chief Ernest Shonekan today at the age of 85, I could not hold my anger at the reporting (including at Sahara Reporters) that claimed he was a “Nigerian leader.”
“Truth is that Chief Shonekan wasn’t a leader, he was a traitor who betrayed Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and a betrayer of Nigeria’s quest for genuine democracy before and during the June 12, 1993, era.
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 11, 2022
“Also, Chief Shonekan wasn’t an “Interim Leader” as reported in many news outlets, the illegal contraption he headed known as the “Interim National Government” which was put together by an equally evil traitor, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was appropriately nullified by a Lagos High Court also in 1993 after he occupied the office of “President” only for 84 days.
“Nigerians should courageously address the sins of this bunch of wicked people when they are alive and when they die. The people of Chile recently treated the death of Lucía Hiriart, the widow of the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet with scorn even though she died at the age of 99.”
