~ Anyaoku promises befitting burial
The national burial committee for the burial of late legal luminary and statesman, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, was yesterday inaugurated in Lagos.
The burial according to the programme of event will span two months. This will be in violation of the recent Anambra law, curtailing profligate spending on burials. Anambra State Chief Executive, Prof Chukwuma Soludo who will also be burying his father had earlier announced a programme that conforms with the law, cutting out many unnecessary expenditure.
Nwabueze’s national burial committee is being co-chaired by former Commonwealth Secretary-General and chairman of The Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Prof Nwabueze, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and pioneer Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, died on Sunday, October 29, in his Lagos home at the age of 91.
Chief Anyaoku who presided over the inaugural meeting held at FRA Williams Chambers, Ilupeju, Lagos in his opening remarks said the committee would work to give Nwabueze a befitting burial.
He enjoined all members to work towards same goal, stating that Nwabueze, a late Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) awardee, who became a SAN in 1978 strictly on the basis of his published works, was a good man.
A statement yesterday by Ikechukwu Amaechi, chairman of the media and publicity sub-committee reeled out the burial programme, stating that it will take place from February 23 to March 5, 2024.
“The burial will commence with a court session on Friday, February 23.
“This will be followed by Day of Tributes in Lagos on Saturday, February 24 and on Monday, February 26, the Eminent National leaders of Nigeria, popularly known as The Patriots, will organize a colloquium in Lagos.
“Thereafter, the burial activities will shift to the Southeast where Ohanaeze Ndigbo will organize a Day of Tributes on Tuesday, February 27, in Enugu.”
Mr. Jenkins Alumona who spoke on behalf of the family said the remains of Prof Nwabueze, the Oduah Afo-na-Isagba of Atani, will be interred in his Atani country home in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State in what will be a traditional private ceremony.
The reception and celebration of the worthy life of Prof. Nwabueze, former Minister of Education, will take place in Atani on Saturday, March 2. This will be followed by a three-day traditional burial rites from March 3 to March 5.
Eminent Nigerians who were named among members of the national burial committee include: Anyaoku and Iwuanyanwu (co-chairmen), Senator Ben Ndi Obi (vice-chairman), Ambassador Okey Emuchay and Mr. Olawale Okunniyi (co-secretaries), Mr. Damien Obiefule (Assistant Secretary), Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Barrister Chijioke Okoli (SAN) and Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi.
Others include Mr. Arinze Oduah, Chief Ben Egonu, Professor Ikenna Alumona, Chief Chukka Ifejika, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi, Hon. Somto Udeze, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, Nnenna Okwuosa, Mr. Jenkins Alumona, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna.
