By Correspondent in Minna.
Former Head of Interim National Governnent Chief Ernest Shonekan, who died in Lagos on Tuesday at the age of 85,has been described as one of Nigeria’s finest and uncommon patriots who contributed greatly in the shaping of Nigeria’s fiscal policies.
Former Military Head of State General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB),made the remark in a statement in Minna on Tuesday while mourning the death of Shonekan, who was also Abese Egba land.
Babangida said he received the news of the demise of Chief Shonekan with shock, adding that it came to him with a helpless awe.
“I hadn’t the faintest idea that Chief Ernest Shonekan would depart this sinful world too soon. Even at 85, he was a leader and an uncommon patriot who had a presence of mind and his understanding of Nigeria was profound and remarkable. It is indeed, a personal loss to me,”he said.
The ex-Military president also described the deceased as one of the cerebral minds during his regime, adding that the late Shonekan was the architect of the principle of free market economy which helped to open up the system for a robust participation by the private sector.
He noted that the life and time of the late Shonekan was impactful to Nigeria and Nigerians generally, recalling that “the liberalisation of the economy, the investment and boost in the agricultural sector and budget management approach were part of the brain child of Ernest Shonekan”.
Babagida, who signed the statement,
added,“I recollect, very vividly, how he used to give us tutorials on budget, planning and management of national resources, each time he was invited to our session. At each budget year, late Shonekan would be invited to critique our budget proposals.
“Shonekan gave us further input to enrich final budgets during our time. He was a man of ideas and ideals, prudent and preached so much about fiscal discipline”.
He said in view of the cherished, sterling quality discovered in the late stateman, he was appointed Head of the Interim Government to help stabilize the polity at a most trying period of Nigeria’s political evolution.
Babangida also described Shonekan, who was also a lawyeras, ‘a calm personality whose managerial skills were foretold in the way and manner he managed a lot of blue chip companies.”
He expressed satisfaction that as Head of the Interim Government, late Shonekan was able to consult with a broad spectrum of the Nigerian populace in charting a roadmap out of the political impasse at that time, adding that his brilliance and meticulous interrogation of situations helped in large measure to forge ahead during the period.
“Nigeria has lost a patriot, an urbane and refined gentleman, a thoroughbred boardroom maestro and a cosmopolitan mind who was devoted to the growth and development of his country.
Babangida prayed God Almighty to grant the reposed soul of Shonekan internal rest and his family, friends, associates and Nigerians in general,the courage to bear the great loss.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
