Former head of state Ernest Shonekan passes away in Lagos at the ripe old age of 85

NIGERIA'S former head of state  Chief Ernest Shonekan has passed away at the ripe old age of 85 today at a private hospital in the Lekki area of Lagos State after succumbing to a brief but undisclosed illness.

Chief Shonekan, born on May 9, 1936, was a British-trained lawyer and an industrialist. He was appointed as Nigerian's interim head state by former military dictator General Ibrahim Babangida after he annulled the 1993 presidential  and then stepped down himself on August 26, 1993.

General Babangida had refused to hand over power to Chief Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 election but eventually had to relinquish power after intense pressure. However, Chief Shonekan’s administration only lasted three months as the chief of army staff General Sani Abacha forcefully took power through a coup later that year.

Chuef Shonekan, who hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State, attended CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College, both in Lagos. Later on, he obtained a law degree from the University of London.