By Emmanuel Nduka
Former Head of Nigeria’s Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan has died at the age of 85.
Shonekan who succeeded the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida, died in Lagos.
Until his death, he was the third oldest surviving Nigerian Head of State by age after Queen Elizabeth 11 and former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.
About Shonekan
Shonekan, a lawyer, technocrat and boardroom expert was the Chairman and Chief Executive of the United African Company, UAC, of Nigeria (a successor of the Royal Niger Company). It was a vast conglomerate which at the time was the largest African controlled company in sub-Saharan Africa
He was also the Chairman of the Interim National Government between 26 August and 17 November 1993. He was ousted in a palace coup led by late General Sani Abacha who was Secretary of Defence.
Shonekan was born on May 9, 1936 in Lagos to an Abeokuta-born civil servant.
He began his education 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.
After joining the UAC in 1964 at a time when the company played a prominent role in British colonisation, he rose through the ranks in the company and was promoted assistant legal adviser.
He later became a Deputy Adviser and joined the Board of Directors at the age of 40. He was later made Chairman and Managing Director in 1980, and went on to cultivate a wide array of international business and political connections.
