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Ernest Shonekan Dead – 10 Fast Facts About The Late Former National Leader

Ernest Shonekan dead

Chief Ernest Shonekan who served as the interim leader of the Nigerian government has passed away.

Shonekan who was 85 years old died on the 11th of January 2022 in a hospital in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

His death was confirmed to the media by the government of Ogun State where the late elder statesman hails.

Fast Facts About Ernest Shonekan

  1. Ernest Shonekan was appointed as the interim leader of the Nigerian Government by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1993. The appointment came after severe pressure on Babangida to relinquish power after he rejected the results of the June 12, 1993 election which MKO Abiola had won.
  2. Shonekan’s reign was short-lived lasting for merely three months (August 26, 1993 – November 17, 1993) as he was ousted by a palace coup led by General Sani Abacha.
  3. Shonekan was on the 2nd of January 1993 appointed to serve as the head of the transitional council that was set up by General Babangida as the final phase of power handover to a democratic government.
  4. Before being called to serve as an interim national leader, Ernest Shonekan was serving as the Chairman and managing director of United Africa Company of Nigeria (UAC).
  5. He had joined UAC in 1964 and rose through the ranks of the company to become an assistant legal adviser and later deputy adviser and a member of its board of directors when he was 40 years old.
  6. Ernest Shonekan was a lawyer who earned his law degree from the University of London before proceeding to attend the illustrious Harvard Business School. He was also educated at CMS Grammer School and Igbobi College.
  7. Shonekan was born on the 9th of May 1936 in Lagos State into a family of 8 including his parents. His father was a civil servant from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
  8. After being ousted by Abacha, Ernest Shonekan founded the advocacy and think-tank, Nigerian Economic Summit Group in 1994. The group was incorporated as a non-profit in 1996. NESG is a non-partisan and apolitical organization that aims to promote sustainable growth and the development of the Nigerian economy.
  9. Shonekan was married to Margaret Shonekan and they had four children including Korede Shonekan, Adeboye Shonekan, Kemi Shonekan, and Yele Shonekan.
  10. Ernest Shonekan was the third oldest surviving head of state after Queen Elizabeth II and General Yakubu Gowon.

Read Also: Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Dosunmu Has Passed On

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Peter Obi decries Demolition of brother’s property in Lagos – ‘Nigeria is lawless’

Former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as “coordinated lawlessness” after a property owned by his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without any formal notice or legal order.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, June 25, Obi revealed that his brother arrived at the company’s premises in Ikeja, Lagos, only to find demolition underway.

He said security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on a court judgment, yet failed to produce any legal documents or demolition order.

“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi queried, disclosing that the judgment cited was allegedly against “unknown persons and squatters,” despite the property being a registered company site for over 15 years.

Obi said he rushed from Abuja to Lagos upon receiving a distress call, only to be shocked by what he witnessed during the demolition.

He said contractors on-site could not identify who sent them, and no official from any government agency appeared to clarify the situation.

“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi stated, adding that two men who later appeared only asked him to report to a police station, also without any court backing.

Drawing broader implications, Obi said the experience reflects what ordinary Nigerians endure and explains why foreign investors are reluctant to do business in the country.

“Someone told me he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic but won’t touch Nigeria. His reason was clear: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country,’” Obi noted.

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I listen to those who insult me and learn governance lessons from them – Tinubu

pro-Tinubu group

President Bola Tinubu said he has grown a thick skin against insults from his critics and political enemies to the point that he now learns governance lessons from them.

Tinubu disclosed this while speaking at the town hall meeting held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

The meeting was part of activities scheduled for the President’s visit in the wake of recent killings in the state. Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other dignitaries, including North Central governors, received the President.

“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all,” the President said.

Over 200 residents of the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state were killed when assailants suspected to be herders invaded on Friday, June 13, 2025.

The unfortunate incident attracted both nationwide and foreign attention, with international media outlets reporting it. Following the outrage, Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to console the surviving victims of the killings.

Addressing the Governor, the President said, “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”

Tinubu also urged leaders from across the region to work together as part of a non-kinetic approach to solving the hydra-headed insecurity situation.

“We cannot do without another.

“I will want us to create a leadership committee now to meet in Abuja to fashion out a strategy for lasting peace. And I am ready to invest in that peace,” he said.

Tinubu also charged security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the Benue killings, questioning the police on why no suspects have been arrested since the incident.

Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made?” the displeased President asked.

“I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”

“I give you the assurance that we will find peace and convert this tragedy to prosperity.”

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Entertainment

Tinubu, you are incapable – Falz slams president over Benue killings

Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has condemned President Bola Tinubu over the recent mass killings in Benue State, accusing him of failing in his most fundamental responsibility as a leader.

In a strongly worded post shared on X on June 16, 2025, the rapper expressed deep frustration at what he described as a repeated pattern of government negligence amid growing insecurity across the country.

You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.

Falz’s comments come in the wake of public outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in parts of Benue State. The killings, which have been linked to suspected herdsmen attacks, have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians and prominent voices in entertainment.

After being called out online for what many people perceived as his silence on the matter, President Tinubu took to X to address the massacre, saying “Enough is enough.”

His statement read in part,

“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”

Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.

Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.

Despite finally addressing the bloodshed, many Nigerians have still faulted Tinubu for not speaking on it early enough, especially after the Pope.

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