Buhari , Uzodinma pay tribute to the life, legacy of Chief Shonekan
*In Shonekan, Nigeria loses a patriot, says Uzodimma
President Muhammadu Buhari has received with profound sadness the news of the death of a great statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
On behalf of the Federal Government, the President extends deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.
As an internationally-respected statesman, President Buhari affirms that, with courageous wisdom, Chief 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 notes that Chief Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcend the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.
President Buhari believes that Nigeria owes a great debt to Chief Shonekan, the peacemaker, who even at the twilight of his life time never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.
The President prays that the memory of the departed Head of Government will remain a blessing to Nigeria even as he finds perfect peace with Almighty God.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said he is in pains over the sad news of the passing of former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Shonekan, Head of Interim National Government between August 26 and November 17, 1993, reportedly died on Monday in Lagos.
Chief Shonekan succeeded former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and barely three months in office, was ousted in a palace coup by late Gen. Sani Abacha.
In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Chief Shonekan’s death was painful because in it, Nigeria has lost a patriot.
The Governor said Chief Shonekan was one of the Nigerian statesmen and legal luminary who believed in the unity, progress and development of the country and actually worked hard in private and public sector for the realisation of that dream.
Governor Uzodimma said Chief Shonekan’s legacy in United African Company (UAC) of Nigeria will always speak volume and that Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the reason he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in 1994, an advocacy body and think tank for private sector-driven development of the Nigerian economy.
He regretted that the country has lost Chief Shonekan, a boardroom icon, when his fatherly and statesmanly pieces of advice were highly needed.
Governor Uzodimma specifically commiserated with the widow, Chief Mrs Margaret Shonekan, the entire Shonekan family, his friends and the Government and people of Ogun State over the loss.
The Governor, on behalf of his family and the people of Imo State, also condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians over the passing of Chief Shonekan and prayed God Almighty to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose, and to those he left behind to mourn him, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
