Ogun State Government last night denied the rumoured death of former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The former Head of Interim National Government took the reigns of government from former military President Ibrahim Babangida in 1994 after the annulled June 12, 1994 .
Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Adeoluwa, told reporters that Chief Shonekan is hale and hearty, he added “it is a lie from hell. Baba is alive.”
•Ex-Head of State preaches unity, love
The Aso Villa Chapel yesterday organised its annual end of the year thanksgiving with former Heads of State – Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ernest Shonekan – in attendance.
The service, which took place in the chapel, was also attended by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former Chiefs of General Staff Ebitu Ukiwe and Oladipo Diya and host Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo said the service was an exciting time to thank God for all he had done for the country during the year.
“Today is a special thanksgiving for the end of the year and as you have seen, all the former Presidents and vice presidents are here for the special thanksgiving service.
“They have been specially invited to come; we also expected President Jonathan, but unfortunately, he had to cancel at the last moment.
“So, we are all extremely excited that we have been able to bring everyone together to thank God for our nation and to give Him thanks for the great future ahead of us,’’ he said.
Gen. Gowon said he was delighted to be at the service with other former colleagues and thanked Osinbajo for facilitating his attendance.
Gowon said he was more excited with the children, who came also to do their thanksgiving and prayed to God to bless the children in a special way.
He enjoined the children to keep the faith with other Christians “to always make sure that we keep this country one and together’’.
He urged Christians to love every Nigerian in spite of their faith following the injunction of Jesus Christ to love your neighbour.
“Our neighbours are Christian, Muslim, traditional religions, among others. Whatever we do, we make sure that we live up to the expectation of what Christ expects of us,’’ he said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, thanked the Vice President and organisers of the service for bringing the past and present leaders to the service.
The Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, in his message, said thanksgiving was an injunction from God, adding that everyone in spite of status must thank God in all circumstances.
According to him, thanksgiving is an acknowledgement that God is alive, adding that each time the faithful gave thanks; they demonstrate their faith in God.
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe, former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya (rtd), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and other prominent Nigerians attended the one year memorial service of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, in Ile-Ife Osun State, Thursday.
The service was held at St. Paul Anglican Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife.
In his sermon, the former Bishop of Ife Anglican Diocese, Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, who praised the late Oba Sijuwade for living a worthy life, advised Nigerians to emulate his exemplary life, which according to him was characterised by selfless service to humanity.
Saying the late monarch left many worthy legacies, the cleric maintained that his memory would linger in Ife.
He also advised Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and political divide, to work and support the development of our immediate society and country at large.
He said the late monarch diligently served God and his people until his last days on earth.
He said: “Late Oba Sijuwade lived well and died well. He was a follower of Christ. I had personal relationship with him when he was alive. We should always remember that this world is transient in nature and that death remains the only inevitable end of all mortals. So, we should be cautious of our actions and inactions on earth because nobody, no matter highly placed would escape judgment of the Almighty God after death.”
Ernest Shonekan, head of Nigeria’s Interim National Government (which Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the Lagos great, famously dismissed as “interim nonsense”, before he himself got caught in the Sani Abacha post-June 12 web) just turned 80.
How would Hardball rate him?
Well, in two distinct wrappers, separately packaged.
In the halcyon days of Nigeria’s business innocence, when Shonekan’s UACN Plc was lord of the manor, he was oracle-in-chief in a conclave of oracles that piped the final words on the military-era budget.
To the stark Nigerian military-in-government, as well as his British Unilever employers, Ernest Shonekan was a golden son in whom they were well and truly pleased.
Had his public profile ended that way, Mr. Shonekan, a trained lawyer turned boardroom champion, would have ended fairly enough: no revolutionary, to be sure; but a great icon of the status quo, which nevertheless needed an iconoclast for urgent redemption!
But the sun of this bright son set too soon, when he blundered into the uncharted and treacherous waters of Nigerian military politics, under the most wayward and mischievous handler you could ever think of.
When Gen. Ibrahim Babanginda was done dribbling himself, in his never-ended political transition to civil rule programme, he invited Shonekan to head his puppet and so-called Transitional Council (TC), in which the former UACN czar would be some feckless prime minister, while IBB and fellow soldiers would continue with their government, as military cow boys.
But the apex of Shonekan’s public ruin would come when he agreed to head the so-called ING, a not-so-clever Trojan horse to hand over power to the Khaliffa, Sani Abacha, after IBB had annulled the June 12, 1993 election that produced Chief MKO Abiola, Shonekan’s Egba kinsman.
IBB was trapped, after playing his unprecedented last card of annulling Nigeria’s freest election ever. He needed a cipher to stave off sure personal disgrace; but also buy time to sustain the annulment crime.
Mr. Shonekan was that willing cipher — and he proved a superb tool to not only subvert democracy but more importantly, equity, justice and fair play, which he knows his fellow Yoruba don’t compromise.
Much later, Mr. Shonekan would become the living face of institutionalised impunity. If so, on what basis is he still regarded as “former Head of ING”, a contraption voided by a court of law? Well, because Abacha, quid pro quo, “revalidated” with military fiat, what due process declared a legal monstrosity.
It is on this basis that Mr. Shonekan parades himself as “former head of state”; and sits on the National Council of State! Only in Nigeria!
So, at 80, Mr. Shonekan holds a rather unflattering image of Nigeria’s Mr. Jerkyll and Dr. Hyde: a goodly business patriot within the Nigerian-British establishment under which UACN was pivotal; but a horrible conspirator in sustaining the criminal annulment of June 12, in which the Nigerian electorate were the general victims, and MKO, his Egba kinsman, was the particular casualty.
That MKO never came out alive, from his June 12 odyssey, still rankles, even as Shonekan rolls out the drums, and clinks glasses, for his 80th birthday.
All the same, it’s “happy birthday” from Hardball!
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with elder statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan on his 80th birthday.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, hailed Shonekan’s contribution to national peace and development, which he said has exemplified him as an accomplished administrator, astute businessman and patriot.
The President believes that the historic role played by the octogenarian in forging and maintaining the unity of Nigeria will continue to endear him to many. He said his administration would continue to appreciate his fatherly counsel on how to move the country forward.
President Buhari prayed God Almighty to grant the celebrator more years of good health and happiness to see the Nigeria of his dreams.
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday declared that he was happy during his incarceration in Yola prison.
Obasanjo was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1985 after he was convicted for his involvement in the plot to overthrow the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
He spoke at the 50th anniversary of the Bible Society of Nigeria held at the Muson Centre,Onikan, Lagos.
He presented a bible, regarded as world’s biggest, alongside other BSN patrons which included former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Elder Felix Ohiwerei.
Delivering the BSN’s annual lecture titled: “Man in pursuit of happiness,” Obasanjo said, “When I was in prison, I had joy. I was always bubbly, teaching and preaching to other prisoners.
“It was because of the joy I had found in God, although it can be said to be abnormal that one is in prison and is happy.”
“I was put in jail, even though I didn’t deserve it.”
Gowon and Shonekan thanked the BSN for appointing them as patrons and urged the society to continue its good work.
… Ex- president arrives 40 minutes behind schedule
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among former Nigeria leaders that attended Tuesday’s Council of State meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
However, the former president entered the Council Chamber venue of the meeting at 12.10pm, about 40 minutes behind schedule. The meeting started at 11.30am after the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Other former Nigeria leaders that attended the meeting are – the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Tuesday’s meeting will be the last under the outgoing President Jonathan.
The state governors at the meeting are – Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Ramalan Yero (Kanuda), Sarieke Dickson (Bayelsa), James Ngilari (Adamawa), Tanko Almakura(Nasarawa) and Gabriel Suswam(Benue).
Others are – Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau) Liyel Imoke(Cross River), and Acting governor of Taraba State.
Kano, Kogi, Oyo and Yobe States were represented by their deputy governors.
The Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and former Chief Justices of Nigeria including Muhammadu Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Idris Kutigi were also the meeting.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and the Chief of Staff to the President, Jones Arogbofa also attended the meeting.
Opening Christian and Muslim prayers were said by the governors of Cross Rivers and Kaduna respectively.
… Hails Nwobodo too
President Goodluck Jonathan has felicitated with the former head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, on the occasion of his 79th birthday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said that Nigeria owes Shonekan a huge debt of gratitude for his immense contributions to national development.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to felicitate with you on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary, tomorrow, May 9, 2015.”
“Over the years, you have always readily given of yourself to the cause of peace, stability, growth and development in our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude.”
The President wished Shonekan a very happy birthday and prayed that God Almighty will continue to guide and bless him.
President Jonathan also felicitated with Chief Jim Nwobodo who celebrates his 75th birthday on Friday.
He noted that Nwobodo had every cause to celebrate and thank God Almighty for His benevolence on the joyful occasion of his 75th birthday.
He said: “In a life that has seen you reach the apex of your entrepreneurial, public service and political endeavours, there is great cause for you, members of your family, your many associates, protégés and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His benevolence upon you.”
“As you deservedly celebrate this landmark, it is my prayer that Almighty God continues to bless you with robust health and many more years of happiness.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye; General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi and monarchs in Egbaland have said the peace in Ogun State is the handiwork of God.
They spoke at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, venue of the Christmas Carol and Nine Lessons.
The event, which was organised by the Ibikunle Amosun administration, was also attended by former head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan.
A popular gospel singer, Tope Alabi, ministered in songs.
Pastor Adeboye, Pastor Kumuyi and Shonekan thanked God for the “progress” recorded in the last 42 months as well as the “peace” being enjoyed by residents and visitors.
They prayed that God would continue to do good things for the state and its people.
Obasanjo waxed philosophical and sang that God would do something new for him and Nigerians in the new year.
Shonekan said what was being experienced in the state is a “miracle.”
“The governor has done exceedingly well. You only need to look around to see the massive infrastructure.
“Please keep it up. May God continue to support you. Miracles are happening in our state. With what we have been able to see around, our state has made progress. I want to congratulate you Mr. Governor.”
In his message, taken from the book of John, Pastor Adeboye said Jesus is the way, the truth and life.
The cleric added that He is also the way out of poverty and bondage.
Citing himself as an example of how Christ can lift someone from obscurity to prominence, the renowned preacher said he was born and raised in a remote village in Osun State, where even the poor called his parents “poor”.
He said God elevated him to the level where he now gets audience from world leaders.
According to him, no matter how lowly one’s life is or hopeless a situation could be, Christ, the saviour of the world, would make a way where there seemed to be no way.
Pastor Adeboye said: “I come from a remote village, not known and so obscure; it is only recently that it was placed on the map. My family was so poor that even poor people called us poor.”
Despite the crisis rocking Adamawa State, the state governor, Murtala Nyako, on Tuesday surprisingly appeared at the National Council of State (NCS) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.
Some members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly are threatening to impeach the governor based on alleged corruption charges.
Nyako was the centre of attention when he entered the council chamber at 10:55am before the commencement of the meeting.
Even when he took his seat in the chamber, his colleagues clustered around him to get the first-hand gist about happenings in the state.
The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, also attended the meeting. The Edo State House of Assembly is also undergoing crisis.
Past presidents and heads of state at the meeting are – Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan.
Former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari was absent at the meeting.
Oshiomhole and Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, led the opening Christian and Moslem prayer when the meeting started at 11:38am.
Also at the meeting are the Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammad Uwais.
Other governors at the meeting are that of Kaduna, Delta, Niger, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Kebbi, Gombe, Enugu and the acting governor of Taraba.