The former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Adegunle Shonekan, has been committed to mother earth on Friday.
The four-day funeral rites which began on Monday, was concluded on Friday at the Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi, Lagos where the remains of the late elder statesman was interred.
Speaking at the funeral service which held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina area of Lagos state, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo described the late Shonekan as a consequential man, who steadied Nigeria’s ship at a period it was facing turbulent times.
Osinbajo who led the delegation of the Federal Government to the burial said Shonekan lived a purposeful life, a life which deserved great attention.
In his words, “If ever a man could be said to have lived a life of two equally consequential halves, and in service, that man would be Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan GCFR.
“He was a corporate technocrat and a renowned figure in the boardrooms of many private companies, multinational and indigenous, in which he served as chairman and director. It was in this position that he became known as the face of Nigeria and free enterprise. The UACM under his leadership, fully evolved from being a trading outfit to a manufacturing (company), with interests in diverse sectors, ranging from agriculture, and the automotive industries, to cosmetics to electronics, textiles, amongst many others. He was 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.
“But no one could have written the script of the traumatic series of occurrences that forced 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 luck to steer the ship of state in those extremely stormy waters. He was in his own words, compelled by a sense of duty and responsibility to accept the role and give his best in shepherding his country through an experience all known and unprecedented in our history.
“Ernest Shonekan lived an extraordinary life. But perhaps what deserves greater attention is the way he carried himself through life and the high values he exemplified,” the Vice President said.
“That genuine respect that he had for all people of all classes, religions, and tribes, his unflinching belief in the inherent goodness in everyone, his love and generosity not just for his family but to all.
“His knowledge and experience-driven leadership and counsel that he provided always with unfailing humility and courteousness; these were the unique virtues that underpinned his extraordinary achievements.”
“His love and generosity, not just to his family but to all was felt by all. His counsel that he provided always with unfailing humility and courteousness are unique virtues that underpinned his selflessness.
“Shonekan lived a life of lesson for the nation that he left behind. Today, we stand in the light of this great man. The inevitable transition of the people that we love gives us a sombre opportunity to look into the life that they led, and in that light, checkmate our own lives,” Osinbajo added.
Others in attendance are the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, Former Head Of State Yakubu Gowon, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, as well as the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
Chief Shonekan who served as the head of Interim national government between August and November 1993 died on the 11th of January 2022 at the age of 86.
He was born on May 9, 1936, in Lagos into the family of an Abeokuta-born civil servant. He attended the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College.
He later received a law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar, after which he attended Harvard Business School.
Shonekan joined the UAC in 1964. He rose through the ranks in the company and was promoted to an assistant legal adviser. He later became a deputy adviser and joined the board of directors at the age of 40.
He was made chairman and Managing Director in 1980 and went on to cultivate a wide array of international business and political connections.
On January 2, 1993, Shonekan assumed office as head of the transitional council and Head of Government under General Babangida.
In 1994, he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group an advocacy group and think-tank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian economy.
Since then, Shonekan went on to feature prominently as an elder statesman.
At the time of his death, he was the third oldest surviving Head of State after Queen Elizabeth II and General Yakubu Gowon.
