Tag: Gowon

  • Shettima, Gowon, Otedola, Dangote, Others Attend FCMB Founder, Balogun’s Funeral In Ogun

    Shettima, Gowon, Otedola, Dangote, Others Attend FCMB Founder, Balogun’s Funeral In Ogun

    The founder of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun, was on Saturday, buried in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    The town of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State was agog with dignitaries who gathered to honour the 89-year-old late Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland.

    The funeral service kicked off at 10 am at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour in Ijebu Ode. It was followed by a private family interment.

    Prominent Nigerians who bade the chairman of the FCMB farewell include Vice President, Kashim Shettima; former head of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd); Ogun and Lagos State governors, Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, respectively, among others.

    The billionaire businessman died in London on May 18 at the age of 89.

    Details later…

  • Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu, Gowon, Jonathan, Others Attend Shonekan’s Funeral

    Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu, Gowon, Jonathan, Others Attend Shonekan’s Funeral

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and other eminent Nigerians on Friday attended the funeral service of former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    The service held at the Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina in Lagos and presided over by the Primate and Metropolitan of the Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba, was also attended by Ministers of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite; State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; State for Works and Housing Alhaji Mu’Azu Jaji Sambo, former Ogun State Governors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others.

    Speaking at the event attended by hundreds of Anglican Bishops and priests, religious leaders, politicians, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, as well as family, friends and associates of the deceased, Vice President Osinbajo said late Shonekan lived an extraordinary life.

    Osinbajo, who described the late Shonekan as a man of destiny just like Nigeria is a nation of destiny, said the former Head of Interim National Government had respect for all and there was a way he carried himself through life.

    The Vice President also praised Shonekan’s contributions to Nigeria, first as a business guru and later as Head of Federal Government, adding that the deceased believed that national development was achievable if there was a deep collaboration between the public and private sector.

    He said: “Chief Shonekan lived an extraordinary life.

    “He is a man of destiny just like Nigeria is a nation of destiny. He believes that national development is achievable if there is a deep collaboration between the public and private sector.”

    In his sermon, former Primate and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), Most. Revd Peter Akinola, said the late Shonekan put his life on the line for the sake of Nigeria by serving as the Head of the Interim National Government during the turbulent time in Nigeria’s political history.

    The clergy said Shonekan had done that which God enabled him to do for himself, his family, the church and Nigeria.

    The Bishop said that many people advised Chief Shonekan not to take up the job of heading the interim government because of the risk of a coup, but Shonekan considered Nigeria to be more important.

    The Bishop who noted that even the church refused to give the late Shonekan the benefit of the doubt while some political opportunists demonised him and called him unprintable names.

    “He put his life on the line for the sake of this country. Perhaps, we would like to know that Chief Shonekan was not completely unaware that the coup would take place.

    “Shonekan not being a typical ambitious Nigerian politician, he refused to do many things to preserve himself in office. A typical Nigerian politician will do everything possible to continue in office, come rain come fire.”

    Governor Sanwo-Olu also paid glowing tributes to the late former Head of Interim National Government, saying generations of Nigerians will remain appreciative of Shonekan’s courage, sacrifice and stabilising influence on the polity.

    He said Chief Shonekan in his calm and unflappable manner, steered the course of the country, during his tenure as Head of the Interim National Government until the military intervention that followed, noting that it was a courageous thing for him to do, at such a turbulent time in Nigeria’s history.

    Speaking on Thursday at the Wake Keep Service and Night of Tributes for Ernest Shonekan held at Victoria Island in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the former Chairman and Managing Director of the United Africa Company of Nigeria (UACN) as a foremost and highly respected industrialist and corporate administrator; a first-class boardroom guru with an enviable track record.

    The Governor said whether in the boardroom or in the Council Chamber, the late Shonekan could be counted on as a wise, calm and mature statesman.

    He said Shonekan heading UACN in his early 40s made him a leading source of inspiration and a role model to generations of high-flying Nigerians behind him.

    “Nigeria has lost a truly great man, a true leader and visionary, a man whose immense success in life did not alter his essential humility and goodness.

    “The flood of tributes in the wake of Chief Shonekan’s passing attest to the kind of human being he was. You can also look around at the caliber of persons who have gathered here this evening, in his honour,” he said.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu while speaking on the legacy of the deceased told the widow of the former Head of Interim National Government, Mrs Margaret Shonekan, his children, grandchildren, and the entire family, to know that “his place in our hearts will never be diminished.”

  • Buhari, Gowon, Lalong, Pay Glowing Tribute at Funeral of Lt. Gen. Dogonyaro

    Buhari, Gowon, Lalong, Pay Glowing Tribute at Funeral of Lt. Gen. Dogonyaro

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong and Former Head of State Gen. Gowon were among mourners that paid glowing tribute to former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.

    Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, describing him as a patriotic, brave and disciplined officer who gave his all to serve Nigeria. 

    President Buhari was represented by Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) who said the late General Dogonyaro was a thoroughbred officer whose antecedents in the Nigerian Army remain a reference point and motivation to younger officers. 

    He said Nigeria remains grateful to late General Dogonyaro for his gallantry, patriotism and diligence in service to the nation particularly during his command of ECOMOG troops in Liberia. 

    Buhari condoled with the family of the deceased, the people and Government of Plateau State over the loss of the General asking them to take solace in his good legacies. 

    Governor Lalong in his tribute said Plateau State is not grieving over the loss but celebrating a worthy son who made Nigeria and Africa proud throughout his military career. 

    He said “Late General Dogonyaro left his footprints in the sands of time. The challenge before us today is to ensure that the sacrifices he and other gallant soldiers made in uniting and keeping Nigeria safe does not go in vain. We must unite to defeat the forces of evil that are threatening the security and wellbeing of Nigeria. That is the best way we can honour the memory of the late General”. 

    Former Head of State General Yakubu who sent in a message through Gen. Jon Temlong affirmed the testimony of gallantry and selflessness by the late Dogonyaro whom he said showed early signs of greatness shortly after being commissioned into the Army. 

    Representative of the Liberian President George Weah said the Government and people of Liberia remain eternally grateful to Nigeria and in particular General Dogonyaro and soldiers for the role they played in restoring peace to their country. 

    COCIN Vice President Rev. Dr. Amos Mhozo said the testimony of the deceased who was a committed member of the COCIN Headquarters Compound Church shows that God can use people no matter their backgrounds to achieve his purpose and propagate his word. 

    He said the Church will continue to pray for the government to rise up to the challenge of stopping the killing of innocent people across the nation by criminals as well as providing better infrastructure for the ease and comfort of the citizens. 

    Wife of the late General Mrs. Dogonyaro spoke passionately about the faith of her husband and said he gave his best to the nation just as he did to the service of God, saying the family is happy that he was saved and played active role in evangelism before his demise. 

  • BREAKING: #EndSARS: Buhari, Gowon, Obasanjo, other former leaders meet

    BREAKING: #EndSARS: Buhari, Gowon, Obasanjo, other former leaders meet

    President Muhammadu Buhari, is currently meeting some former Nigerian leaders.

    Although the agenda of the meeting is not made public, issues bothering on the current security situation in the country are believed to top the agenda.

    While Buhari is presiding from the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, some former Nigerian leaders are participating virtually.

    Those participating virtually include General Yakubu Gowon (retd.); former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.); former President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olanisakin; Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Director-General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai, among others are attending with the President.

    Details later…