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The Federal Government has ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the former Head of State, Ernest Shonekan, who died on Tuesday, January 11.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said the order takes effect from the 12th to 14th of January, 2022,

“Following the death of the former Head of the Interim Government, Late Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, GCFR, President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast, effective from Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th, January 2022 as a mark of respect for the former Head of State who died on Tuesday 11th January 2022 at the age of 85.”

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria owes a great debt to the former Head of the Interim National Government and peacemaker, Chief Ernest Shonekan, who has passed on.

In a tribute, the President notes that even at the twilight of his lifetime, Chief Shonekan never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.

As an internationally-respected statesman, President Buhari affirms that, with courageous wisdom, Chief Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.

The President notes that Chief Shonekan demonstrated that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcend the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.

In the tribute, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari extends deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, and the government and people of Ogun State.

The President prays that the memory of the departed Head of Government will remain a blessing to Nigeria even as he finds perfect peace with Almighty God.

Similarly, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has described the death of the former head of Nigeria’s interim government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, as a painful loss.

Shonekan, who served between August 26 and November 17, 1993, died on Tuesday in Lagos at the age of 85.

Gbajabiamila in a statement said Chief Shonekan’s death has created a vacuum among the league of elder statesmen in the country.

He recalled how Shonekan was called to serve his fatherland at a critical time in Nigeria’s history, noting that the late elder statesman did so with patriotism, zeal and commitment.

The Speaker prayed that the Almighty God would find a peaceful resting place for the late head of interim government.

He sent his condolences to the Shonekan family and all Nigerians, especially the people and government of Lagos State.