Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has paid tribute to the late Ernest Shonekan, former head of the interim national government, describing him as a leader who lived an extraordinary life

Mr Osinbajo alongside other dignitaries had attended Mr Shonekan’s funeral service held at the Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina, on Friday.

Delivering a message titled, ‘A Life of Two Great Halves Lived in Service: A tribute to Chief Ernest Adegunle Shonekan’, Mr Osinbajo said the deceased creditably acquitted himself in various spheres of life.

“If ever a man could be said to have lived a life of two equally consequential halves, and in service, that man would be  Shonekan.

“Ernest Shonekan lived an extraordinary life. But perhaps what deserves greater attention is the way he carried himself through life and the high values he exemplified,” the vice president said.

“That genuine respect that he had for all people of all classes, religions, and tribes, his unflinching belief in the inherent goodness in everyone, his love and generosity not just for his family but to all.”

The vice president said that late Shonekan took up the challenge to steer the nation in one of the most turbulent chapters of its history.

He said that the deceased was supportive of all governments and served his nation in this role far above the trenches of partisanship.

Others at Mr Shonekan’s funeral service were former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon accompanied by his wife Victoria.

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Godwin Obaseki of Edo States were at the service.

Also, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and some other members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, and traditional rulers, among others also attended the service.

Mr Shonekan died in Lagos on January 11 at the age of 85.

(NAN)