…..He Lived An Extraordinary Life – Osinbajo
…Nigerians Will Remain Appreciative Of Shonekan’s Stabilizing Influence On Polity–Sanwoolu
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and other eminent Nigerians on Friday, 4th February ,2022 attended the funeral service of former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The service held at the Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina on Lagos Island , was presided over by the Primate and Metropolitan of the Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), the Most Revd (Dr.) Henry Ndukuba, was also attended by Ministers of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite; State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; State for Works and Housing Alhaji Mu’Azu Jaji Sambo, former Ogun State Governors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others.
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 Yemi Osinbajo said late Shonekan lived an extraordinary life.
Osinbajo, who described the late Shonekan as a man of destiny just like Nigeria is a nation of destiny, said 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.”
In his sermon, former Primate and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), the Most. Revd Peter Akinola, said the late Shonekan put his life on the line for the sake of Nigeria by serving as the Head of the Interim National Government during the turbulent time in Nigeria’s political history.
The clergyman said Shonekan had done that which God enabled him to do for himself, his family, the church and Nigeria.
The Bishop said that many people advised Chief Shonekan not to take up the job of heading the interim government because of the risk of a coup, but Shonekan considered Nigeria to be more important.
The Bishop who noted that even the church refused to give the late Shonekan the benefit of the doubt while some political opportunists demonised him and called him unprintable names.
“He put his life on the line for the sake of this country. Perhaps, we would like to know that Chief Shonekan was not completely unaware that the coup would take place.
“Shonekan not being a typical ambitious Nigerian politician, he refused to do many things to preserve himself in office. A typical Nigerian politician will do everything possible to continue in office, come rain come fire.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also paid glowing tributes to the late former Head of Interim National Government, saying generations of Nigerians would 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.
Discover more from Radio Nigeria Lagos
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
