It is no longer news that former head of Nigeria’s interim government, Chief Dr Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, is no more.
Shonekan breathed his last on January 11, 2022, at the age of 86.
Shonekan was a Nigerian lawyer and statesman who served as the interim Head of State of Nigeria from August 26, 1993, to November 17 1993. He was titled Abese of Egbaland from 1981.
Today, dignitaries from the length and breadth of Nigeria gathered at the Cathedral Church in Lagos to observe a service of songs in honour of the late national leader. Although President Muhammadu Buhari was unable to attend the event in person, he sent the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to deliver remarks on his behalf.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun were also in attendance.
Former Ogun governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; The Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, The Diocesan and Missioner, The Most Revd Dr Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye; family and friends were also at the occasion.
Meanwhile, Shonekan’s burial will hold on Friday, February 4.
The Lagos State Government, as part of plans for the event, has announced a 12- hour traffic diversion around the inner and outer Marina by the Oando Filling Station.
The diversion will begin from 5:00 am till 6.00 pm.
All adjoining and feeder roads leading to Inner Marina Road from NITEL building will be sealed, transportation commissioner Frederic Oladeinde said in a statement.
He further urged motorists to utilise JK Randle Street, through Force Road, to connect Broad Street and continue their journey as Inner Marina Road/Odunlami Street from Outer Marina Road will be shut down to vehicular movement.
Oladeinde added that motorists descending CMS Bridge to Cathedral Church would be temporarily diverted to UBA roundabout or Apongbon for onward navigation to other inner parts of Lagos Island to connect their destinations.
The commissioner stressed that security and law enforcement agencies would be available to all strategic junctions/intersections and black spots to reduce traffic and ensure the security of lives and property both along the routes leading to the venue and alternative routes highlighted.
