January 11, (THEWILL) – The family of Chief (DR) Ernest Adegunle Oladeide Shonekan, a former head of the interim national government, has officially announced his passing.
A statement signed on behalf of his family by Adeboye Shonekan, said the former Head of State, died on Tuesday morning of natural causes at the age of 85.
“To the glory of the Almighty, the Shonekan family announces the passing of our patriarch, loving husband to Margaret, dutiful father to us all and former Head of State, Chief Ernest, Adegunle, Oladeinde Shonekan, GCFR, CBE, the Babasale of Egbaland.
“He passed away this morning of natural causes at the age of 85. The family will release further details in due course”, the statement read.
THEWILL had earlier reported that Shonekan, who was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26, 1993, and November 17, 1993, died on Tuesday morning in Lagos.
Born on May 9, 1936, in Lagos into the family of an Abeokuta-born civil servant. Shinekan was educated at CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College.
He received a law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar. He later attended Harvard Business School.
Shonekan joined the UAC in 1964, where he rose through the ranks in the company and was promoted to an assistant legal adviser. He later became a deputy adviser and joined the board of directors at the age of 40.
He was made chairman and managing director in 1980 and went on to cultivate a wide array of international business and political connections.
Shonekan was appointed as Interim President of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1993. He was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha.
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