Who is Ernest Shonekan and all you need to know about the late Former Nigerian Leader can be accessed here.
Chief Ernest Shonekan, a former Nigerian leader and head of the Interim National Government that succeeded the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida died on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Shonekan, who was reported to have died on Tuesday, January 11, at a hospital in Lagos, was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26, 1993, and November 17, 1993, when he was removed in a palace coup led by the then Minister of Defence, General Sani Abacha, 3 months into his administration.
Before his appointment as the head of the Interim National Government, Shonekan, who was an industrial guru and Chief Executive Officer of the UAC Conglomerate, was the head of the transitional council and head of government under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Shonekan was a British-trained lawyer, industrialist, and former Chairman/Managing Director of the United African Company of Nigeria (UAC) Plc before he was appointed as Interim President of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1993.
He was born on May 9, 1936, in Lagos into the family of an Abeokuta-born civil servant. He 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. He rose through the ranks in the company and was promoted to an assistant legal adviser. He later became a deputy Legal 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.
On January 2, 1993, Shonekan assumed office as head of the transitional council and head of government under General Babangida. The transitional council was designed to be the final phase leading to a scheduled handover to an elected democratic leader of the Third Nigerian Republic.
Babangida later resigned from office in August 1993, following the annulment of the 12 June presidential election. He had signed a decree establishing the Interim National Government led by Shonekan who was subsequently sworn-in as Head of State.
Three months into his administration, Shonekan was overthrown in a palace coup by Abacha in November that year.
In 1994, he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group an advocacy group and think-tank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian economy.
Ernest Shonekan Age
Ernest Shonekan is 85 years old.
Ernest Shonekan Early Life
Shonekan attended C.M.S grammar school and Igbobi College both in Lagos. He also attended and received a law degree from the University of London after which he was called to bar.
Ernest Shonekan Career
After being called to bar, Shonekan worked as the chief executive of United African Company PLC (UAC). He was a seasoned and proven businessman with a wide network. Because of his proven abilities and political neutrality, then president Ibrahim Babangida liked him and made him a prospective leader for his council of civilians-run government, a government which was in the midst of economic turmoil and later came to a political crisis. He was Head of the Transitional Council of Babangida ‘s government in 1993.
On January 2nd, 1993, Shonekan assumed office as the head of government affairs under the leadership of the military president Babangida. At the time, the transitional council was designed to be the final phase leading to a scheduled hand over to an elected democratic leader.
On August 26th, 1993, Shonekan was appointed the interim president of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Babangida. Shonekan assumed office to meet the Nation gradually moving towards meeting a stalemate. He made attempts to have the Nations debt cancelled but after the annulment of June 12 election most of the western powers imposed economic sanctions on Nigeria. He tried to set things straight but he loosely controlled the military.
Shonekan only stayed in office for a transitional period of three months before his administration was toppled by General Sani Abacha who forcefully brought Nigeria back to military control on November 17th, 1993.
The Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Mr. Adewale Tinubu, CON, has felicitated the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, on his 80th birthday.
The oil mogul, in a message made available today, Thursday September 14, 2023 congratulated the revered and respected monarch, who is also the Chairman of Oando Group, on the milestone.
Tinubu wrote: “I felicitate the Chairman of Oando, His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland, on his landmark 80th birthday.
Kabiyesi, your leadership and wisdom have been a beacon of inspiration to us all, and we, who have been privileged to know and work with you, have been positively impacted by you.
“80 years is truly a blessing from God, and I wish you good health, and many more years of impactful leadership.
“May your reign be blessed with continued success and your legacy forever etched in history. Kabiyesi o.”
‘’Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all’’ so says a popular quote.
To say that Oando boss, Wale Tinubu and his siblings were blessed with a loving mother is like stating the obvious, their mother, Chief (Mrs.) Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, the Iyalode of Lagos is a one a million whose love and care has guide them to who they are today.
Her love is sweeter than flower of love.
To appreciate the loving, selfless and hardworking mother, her children Wale, Shola, Iyabo, Kunle, Jide and Olu yesterday gathered the world when the celebrated the woman as she clocked 80 in a blaze of glory.
For the children, the attainment of the ripe age of 80 is worth celebrating, particularly in a country, where death is so cheap.
It was a great moment for the Edo State-born businesswoman as her families, friends and business associates gathered to share her gladsome moment with her.
The birthday party is no doubt would be described as a blowout, lively, sparkling, fun, exciting, and enjoyable, it is simply the best so far in the year 2023.
Trust the Tinubus, they are detribalised Nigerians whose circle of friends cuts across the various Nigerian tribes that they has built over the years.
They showcased their hospitality side as they hosted Who- is-who in high society, including captains of industry, monarchs, politicians, socialites and celebrities, yesterday Sunday, July 2nd 2023 at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
It was indeed a night for the high-networth, high profile and highflying eminent personalities.
It was obvious that they have a commanding sense of hospitality. It was upscale and finest in all ramifications.
From the catering to the ushering, no stone was left unturned. Ushers were brought in to perform different tasks; from assigning seats to guests to taking their meal requests and even ensuring that the place was immaculate and clean.
The hall was colourfully decorated with balloons and other aesthetic materials to give it a regal look. The foods were incredibly rich, flavoursome and magically moreish.
Premium and top-quality drinks only meant for the elites flowed like an endless river. Indeed, the gaily guests had no reason to complain as everything was well taken care of.
There was no dull moment as Vintage Band was there to serenade the gaily dressed guests.
The party go to its peak with the King of Juju music, King Sunny Ade that proved that he is still on top of his game as he livened up the atmosphere with his world class beat while guests danced until their legs could no longer carry them.
Some of the guests at the birthday bash include, the governor of Lagos; Babajide Sanwoolu with his wife, Ibijoke Sanwoolu, Ogun State governor; Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Senator Gbenga Daniel with his wife, Yeye Funke Daniel Senator Ibikunle Amosun with his wife, Funsho Amosun, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Hajia Bola Shagaya, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki with his wife, Toyin Saraki, Babagana Kingigbe, Folly Coker, Wale Edun, Mo Abudu, Founder and Coordinator of Tinubu Support Group; Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Segun Awolowo, Hajia Abbah Folawiyo, Yomi Awobokun, Among several other eminent personalities.
From midnight, even as Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, chose to put his mobile phone on silent mode, its screen flashed continuously and aroused him from his beautiful sleep, as it was bombarded with calls and text messages from family members, friends , business associates et al.
Interestingly, the undisguised expressions of love by his loved ones from that dead of night and through the rest of the day have become like an annual ritual of sorts that they perform whenever the oil guru marks his birthday.
On his part, the University of Liverpool- trained lawyer has so much to thank God for, as he turned 56 today, Monday, June 26.
A reliable source told us that Tinubu, who began his career with his family law firm, K.O. Tinubu and Co., in 1990 and later co-founded Ocean and Oil Group in 1994, is celebrating the birthday surrounded by his family at his residence in London.
Also, the occasion affords Tinubu, fondly called The King of African Oil, to thanked God for the rare grace to have lived an eventful life thus far and for another great opportunity to reflective on his earthly sojourn so far, and pray for greater blessings in the coming years.
It was also gathered that he would use the occasion to put smiles on the faces of the needy around him in his characteristic magnanimity and sense of fellow-feeling.
This may not be surprising to those who know him too well, as he had used the occasions of his birthday in the past to act as the Angel of hope to the disadvantaged members of the society.
Just like his name, Jubril, he has been an angel to many whose paths have crossed with his on many occasions. He has lent support and been a shoulder to lean on for numerous less-privileged and the poor. He is indeed a bellwether in the acts of generosity to others. He sees sharing love with them as a sacred devotion.
The man who today is Africa’s pride in oil and gas is usually driven by an abiding quest to change the lives of his people for the better.