Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the late former Head of the Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan, as a man of destiny who was chosen for his time.
This was as he said the former Head of State proved by his life that destiny for one or for a nation is the manifest result of small choices made everyday by ordinary people doing the best they can and persevering in goodness.
Osinbajo spoke on Friday at the State Funeral Service for the late elder stateman at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, revealed this in a statement he signed on Friday titled ‘Shonekan was a man of destiny, chosen for his time, says Osinbajo’.
The Vice President said, “Just as we would also be right to think of Nigeria as a nation of destiny, uniquely positioned to be a rallying point and an inspiration for the entire black race, Shonekan lived his life always conscious of, and motivated by a burden of duty, as a citizen of considerable privilege, to give back, either in his many philanthropic and civic pursuits or in public service.
“And so it transpired that within the first four and a half decades of his life, Shonekan had established himself as one of the nation’s foremost corporate technocrats and a figure of renown in the boardrooms of many private companies: multinational and indigenous in which he served as Chairman and Director.
“Known in the business community for his personal integrity and reliability, and trusted in the corridors of political power for his counsel and guidance by successive governments, Ernest Shonekan had a position in Nigeria that few had before him or have now.
“But none could have written the script of the dramatic series of occurrences that thrust upon him the role of the Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in one of the most turbulent chapters of our nation’s history and it became his lot to steer the ship of state in those extremely stormy waters.”
He added that Shonekan’s accomplishments as a businessman, political figure, and bridge builder are already the stuff of legend and will be talked about for generations.
But perhaps what deserves greater attention is the way he carried himself through life and the high values he exemplified, that genuine respect he had for people of all classes, religion, tribe or gender.
“His unflinching belief in the inherent goodness of everyone. His love and generosity not just to his family, but to all, the knowledge and experience driven leadership and counsel he provided, always with unfailing humility and courteousness, were all the unique virtues that underpinned his extraordinary achievements,” Osinbajo said.
On behalf of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the government and people of Nigeria, the Vice President extended sincere condolences to Shonekan’s immediate family, Mrs. Margaret Shonekan, their children, Adeboye, Korede, Kemi Yele and the entire family.
He prayed God’s comfort on the family, thanking them for availing their father to serve the nation.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
