Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd); Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha,on Friday, attended the funeral service of former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Other diginitaries at the funeral were Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and other eminent Nigerians.
The service was held at the Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina in Lagos and was presided over by the Primate and Metropolitan of the Anglican Communion Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba.
Speaking at the event attended by hundreds of Anglican bishops and priests, religious leaders, politicians, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, as well as family, friends and associates of the deceased, Vice President Osinbajo said late Shonekan lived an extraordinary life.
Osinbajo, who described the late Shonekan as a man of destiny, also noted that Nigeria is also a nation of destiny. He said that the former Head of Interim National Government had respect for all, and there was a way he carried himself through life.
The Vice President also praised Shonekan’s contributions to Nigeria, first as a business guru and later as Head of Federal Government, adding that the deceased believed that national development was achievable if there was a deep collaboration between the public and private sector.
He said: “Chief Shonekan lived an extraordinary life.
“He is a man of destiny just like Nigeria is a nation of destiny. He believes that national development is achievable if there is a deep collaboration between the public and private sector.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also paid glowing tributes to the late former Head of Interim National Government, saying generations of Nigerians will remain appreciative of Shonekan’s courage, sacrifice, and stabilising influence on the polity.
He said Chief Shonekan in his calm and unflappable manner, steered the course of the country, during his tenure as Head of the Interim National Government, until the military intervention that followed, noting that it was a courageous thing for him to do at such a turbulent time in Nigeria’s history.
Speaking on Thursday at the wake service and night of tributes for the late former head of interim government held at Victoria Island in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu described him as a foremost and highly respected industrialist and corporate administrator; a first-class boardroom guru with an enviable track record.
The governor said whether in the boardroom or in the Council Chamber, the late Shonekan could be counted on as a wise, calm, and mature statesman.
He said Shonekan experience as head of the United Africa Company of Nigeriain in his early 40s, made him a leading source of inspiration and a role model to generations of high-flying Nigerians behind him.
“Nigeria has lost a truly great man, a true leader and visionary, a man whose immense success in life did not alter his essential humility and goodness.
“The flood of tributes in the wake of Chief Shonekan’s passing attest to the kind of human being he was. You can also look around at the caliber of persons who have gathered here this evening, in his honour,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu while speaking on the legacy of the deceased told the widow of the former Head of Interim National Government, Mrs Margaret Shonekan, his children, grandchildren, and the entire family, to know that “his place in our hearts will never be diminished.”
The Ministers of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite; State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; State for Works and Housing Alhaji Mu’Azu Jaji Sambo also attended the funeral service.
Former Ogun State Governors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others came to pay their last respects to the late former Head of Interim National Government.
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