By Lukman Olabiyi
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, led Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun and Yobe states counterparts, Dapo Abiodun and Mai Mala Buni, to visit the Lagos residence of the head of Interim National Government during the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Ernest Shonekan.
President Buhari and his entourage, who arrived at Shonekan’s house, Lugard Avenue at about 4:40pm were received by members of the late Shonekan family.
Buhari, who was on a one-day presidential visit to Ogun State to commission some projects by the Governor Abiodun’s administration, stopped over in Lagos on his way to Abuja and spent some time to commiserate with the Shonekan family.
Shonekan was at the helm of affairs in Nigeria between August 26 and November 17, 1993 after the former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, stepped aside.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described the late Shonekan, as a renowned technocrat, seasoned administrator and passionate leader who served his country meritoriously as a public servant during his short tenure as number one citizen in Nigeria.
He said the late elder statesman did his best for the country in contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria.
The governor also praised Shonekan’s contributions to the economy of Nigeria as boardroom guru and employer of labour, especially during his tenure as the chairman and managing director of the United Africa Company.