He left his flourishing business to lead Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “profound sadness” over the news of the death of former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement.

The Herald earlier reported that Shonekan died in a Lagos hospital on Tuesday. He was 85.

Shonekan headed the ING set up by the Ibrahim Babangida junta after the ill-fated 1993 presidential election.

He was in charge between August 26 and November 17, 1993, when a coup orchestrated by General Sani Abacha brought the ING’s rule to an end.

“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,” the statement read in part.

The president noted that as an internationally-respected statesman, 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 further noted 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 statement further read.

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.