President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the news of the death of a great statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Tuesday in Abuja extended deepest condolences to Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun.
President Buhari affirmed that, as an internationally-respected statesman with courageous wisdom, 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.”
The president noted that Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcended the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.
According to him, Nigeria owes a great debt to Chief Shonekan, the peacemaker, who even at the twilight of his lifetime never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.
President Buhari prayed that the memory of the departed Head of Government would remain a blessing to ”Nigeria even as he finds perfect peace with almighty God.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the news of Shonekan’s passing.
Jonathan made this known in a condolence message to the family and the Government of Ogun State, signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Ikechuwu Eze, on Tuesday in Abuja.
He described Shonekan as “an elder statesman, well-loved for his sincerity and sense of purpose.”
The former president also described Shonekan as a peacemaker and bridge-builder who left enduring legacies.
Babangida reacts to Chief Ernest Shonekan’s death
“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.
“Shonekan will also be remembered for his great wisdom, peaceful disposition, the goodwill he extended to all as well as his significant contributions to the growth and economy of the nation,” Jonathan said.
