Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late
ex-Head of Interim National Government (ING), Ernest Shonekan, as a unifying
force in Nigeria.
The retired General declared that his contribution to the
growth and development of democracy cannot be forgotten.
Obasanjo, in a condolence letter to Mrs Margaret Shonekan on
Tuesday, noted that her husband was a role model and patriotic citizen.
He said the deceased was a man who had a strong will to
succeed despite coming from a humble background.
Obasanjo recalled how Shonekan rose to the top of corporate
management with his chairmanship of the United Africa Company (UAC).
“He founded, in 1994, the Economic Summit Group, an advocacy
group and think tank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian
economy.
“It remains till today, sustaining the legacy of helping to
support stakeholders in the execution of policies, programmes and strategies in
response to any emerging trends in national and global economies.”
Obasanjo, currently on international assignment as the High
Representative of the African Union (AU) for the Horn of Africa, said he
received the news with great shock.
On the political scene, Obasanjo maintained Shonekan did
well as leader of the ING in 1993, cut short through the palace coup
orchestrated by General Sani Abacha.
“As Special Envoy on the Implementation of the Abuja
Agreement on Zimbabwe in 2001 under my administration, and Chairman, Infrastructure
Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) under Yar’Adua’s administration in
2008, he was forthright, dedicated and showed great patriotism.
“He was a unifying force for the nation and his contribution
to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot be forgotten in a
hurry. In all situations, he lived nobly and he died in nobility. He was an
achiever.
“Indeed, Chief Shonekan died at a time the country is in
dire need of his leadership, wealth of experience and wisdom to tackle the
multifaceted challenges facing the nation,” Obasanjo was quoted as having
Obasanjo added.
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