Ernest Shonekan, the former Interim National Government (ING) Head, has been buried, bringing a close to a four-day burial process that began on Monday.
On Friday, Shonekan was laid to rest at Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi, Lagos, following a burial service at the Cathedral Church of Christ.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, Former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
The Federal Government delegation was led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who characterized the late Shonekan as a man of integrity who helped to steady Nigeria’s ship at a stormy period.
Gbenga Daniel paid tribute to Shonekan, saying he led a purposeful life and encouraged Nigerians to follow in his footsteps.
After the memorial service, the former governor told reporters, “We must not be in too much of a hurry, God has a plan for our lives.”
Friday’s burial was the culmination of funeral activities for the founder of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). Earlier, a service of songs and a Christian wake keep/night of tributes were held for Shonekan in Lagos.
At the service of songs on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the deceased “had a good run” and urged the family to take solace in the legacy laid by the third oldest surviving Nigerian Head of State after Queen Elizabeth II and General Yakubu Gowon.
“Chief Shonekan was Nigeria’s interim President, he was an astute lawyer, an elder statesman, a doting father, and the dear husband of Mama Margaret Shonekan,” the governor noted.
Before the burial, President Muhammadu Buhari had also extolled Shonekan who he said left a ”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”.
Buhari said the country owes a great debt to the former head of ING, noting that despite being at the twilight of his lifetime, he never stopped believing in Nigeria. The president had later paid a condolence visit to the late Shonekan’s family in Lagos.
Prior to the burial, the Lagos Government had announced a 13-hour closure of roads leading to Marina where the funeral took place. Shonekan was born on the 9th of May, 1936, attended the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College. He was head of the interim national government between August and November 1993.