- Says Federal, State and LGs, Regional political organizations, Elder Statesmen, others ready to participate
By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
The various tiers of government in Nigeria, represented by federal, state and local government functionaries, as well as major regional political and socio-cultural organisations, elder statesmen and women, youth and women organisations, have reaffirmed their individual and collective resolve to give the late President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, a befitting burial.
This was confirmed by the National Burial Committee for the late Chief Iwuanyanwu, at an interactive engagement with some online publishers in Abuja on Monday.
The Committee, under the chairmanship of Senator Ben Obi, also re-affirmed that the final rites of passage would kick off on October 16, 2024 with a Day of Tributes at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Senator Obi, who was represented by the Chairman of the National Burial’s Sub-committee on Media & Publicity, Prof Okey Ikechukwu, explained that the engagement with the online Abuja-based online publishers was to provide the necessary update on the committee’s preparations to honour the late Chief Iwuanyanwu.
Describing the late President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo as “a distinguished national icon, leader, business mogul, sports philanthropist and patriot,” Prof Ikechukwu said the Day of Tributes in Lagos would be followed by another Day of Tributes at the National Ecumenical Centre, in the Central Business District, Abuja, on October 18, 2024.
He said: “Following this, on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s body will arrive Enugu, en-route Owerri. There shall be a grand reception first, at the OHANEZE Headquarters and then Tributes at the Michael Okpara Square before departure to Owerri.
“The climax of the funeral rites will take place on Tuesday 29th, October, 2024, beginning with a Service of Songs in the Owerri.
“The body will be conveyed to his hometown, Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area, for a final Commendation Service and Interment on the 1st of November 2024.”
According to Prof Ikechukwu, the elaborate arrangement was necessary in order to ‘regenerate interest’ on the persona of Chief Iwuanyanwu, given that the generation that knew him had largely passed on.
He recalled that when alive, Chief Iwuanyanwu bestrode and impacted on the Nigerian economy with investments in the media (being the publisher of Champion Newspapers), banking, sports (Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club), aviation (Oriental Airlines) and philanthropy.
He added that the burial ceremonies would be used to celebrate and immortalise Chief Iwuanyanwu’s propriety and sense of value, stressing that it is not much about monuments or annual lectures.
“I should use this occasion to express our profound gratitude to all Nigerians and well-wishers across the globe and the media, for their outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.
“This is perhaps not entirely surprising, given that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, is one of the few Nigerians who can be described as a gift of God to Ndigbo, to this country and to the world in general.
“He touched many lives, communities and sectors in his long and eventful life. He invested heavily in nation building, group cohesion and the struggle for equity in our national life,” Prof Ikechukwu said.
Ikechukwu, who was accompanied to the interactive session by other members of the Media & Publicity sub-committee, including Chief Emeka Nwosu, stressed that Chief Iwuanyanwu performed with distinction in all these areas and left lasting and indelible impressions.
