9 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Ex-Nigerian President Ernest Shonekan

Former President Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan was a British-trained Nigerian lawyer, businessman, industrialist, politician and traditional chieftain.

The former head of the Interim National Government (INC) passed away in Lagos on Tuesday, January 11, at the age of 85 years.

As the country mourns an icon, Legit.ng highlights nine facts you probably didn't know about Shonekan.

1. Born on May 9, 1936, the late president had his secondary education at CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College.

2. He was a graduate of law from the University of London and was called to the bar. The boardroom guru later attended Harvard Business School before he ventured into politics.

3. Prior to his political career, Shonekan was the chairman and chief executive of the United African Company of Nigeria, a vast Nigerian conglomerate.

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4. Shonekan was the ninth president of Nigeria. He ruled the country for just 83 days.

5. On January 2, 1993, Shonekan assumed office simultaneously as head of transitional council and head of government under General Ibrahim Babangida.

6. Shonekan was chairman of the Interim National Government (ING) between August 26, 1993, and November 17, 1993, which succeeded the military regime of Babangida.

7. In August 1993, Babangida resigned from office, following the annulment of the June 12 elections. He signed a decree establishing the Interim National Government.

8. He was subsequently sworn in as head of state. However, three months into his administration, Shonekan was overthrown in a palace coup by late General Sani Abacha who was Secretary of Defence in November 1993.

9. Shonekan was the third oldest surviving Nigerian head of state by age after Elizabeth II and Yakubu Gowon at the time of his death.

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The 85-year-old was a seasoned and proven businessman with a wide network. His proven abilities and political neutrality made him a great choice as leader for Babangida's council of civilian-run government.

Monumental loss: Former Senate president dies in London hospital

Legit.ng previously reported that Joseph Wayas, a former president of the Senate in the Second Republic, died at the age of 80.

The governor of Cross River state, Ben Ayade, made this known via a Facebook post on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

Governor Ayade described Wayas' death as "a monumental loss" to Cross River state and Nigeria.

He said:

"I received with profound sense of loss and shock, the sad news of the death of Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Joseph Wayas."

Source: Legit.ng