Former Head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, was today buried in Lagos at the end of a four-day funeral rite that began on Monday.
The Federal government delegation was led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and includes the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and former Head Of State, Yakubu Gowon
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel were also present at the funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ.
Shonekan was later buried at Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi, Lagos after the service.
Osinbajo, who described the late Shonekan as a man of integrity, said he steadied Nigeria’s ship at a turbulent time.
Daniel said the late businessman lived a purposeful life, urging Nigerians to emulate him
“We must not be too much in a hurry,” the former governor told reporters after the funeral service. “God has a purpose for us.”
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. Speaking at the wake, 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 sais.
Shonekan, who was born on the 9th of May, 1936, was head of the interim national government between August and November 1993.
