President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan have expressed sadness over the demise of former head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Shonekan died on Tuesday at the age of 85.
In their separate messages, both leaders described Shonekan as a peace-maker and bridge-builder.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said he received the news with profound sadness.
He said “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 lifetime never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.”
Also, in a condolence message to the deceased’s family and the Government of Ogun State, Jonathan said Shonekan’s demise was a great loss for the country.
He said, “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.
“He will be remembered for his great wisdom, peaceful disposition, the goodwill he extended to all as well as his significant contributions to the growth of the economy of the nation.”
