Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated former First Lady, Chief Margaret Shonekan, on the occasion of her 84th birthday, praising her exemplary humility, kindness, and lifelong commitment to public service.
In a goodwill message, President Tinubu extolled the wife of former Head of the Interim National Government and former Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the United African Company (UAC), Chief Ernest Shonekan, noting that “her life remains a shining inspiration to generations of Nigerians.”
The President highlighted the celebrant’s sterling contributions to nation-building, particularly in the education sector, where she devoted her entire career to strengthening public institutions and promoting excellence.
“Mrs Shonekan devoted her entire career to the strengthening of public institutions, with a focus on promoting effective service delivery, providing qualitative and reliable educational assessments for students, encouraging academic and moral excellence, and advancing human resource development,” the statement read.
President Tinubu recounted her professional journey, beginning as a Trainee Assistant Registrar at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in 1965, rising to Deputy Registrar and later serving as a Federal Civil Service Commissioner from 1986 to 1994.
He praised her return to WAEC as Head of the National Office from 1995 to 2000, where she led the organisation through a challenging era.
The President particularly lauded her patriotism and courage, pointing to her uncommon decision to resume her duties at WAEC in 1994 after serving briefly as Nigeria’s First Lady.
“I commend her commitment to the development of education in Nigeria, exemplified by her return to her former office after serving the nation in the highest capacity for three months,” President Tinubu stated.
As Chief Margaret Shonekan marks her 84th birthday, President Tinubu prayed for her continued good health, strength, and soundness of mind, describing her as “a matriarch of honour, dignity, and national pride.”