The burial rites for the late octogenarian, Sir Alex Ekwueme, kicked off on Friday with a Memorial Service at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos and an Evening of Tributes and Music at The Landmark, Oniru, Lagos.
The programmes took place by 2pm and 5pm respectively.
According to the burial programme for the late former vice president which was released on Thursday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Memorial Service will also take place at St Marylebone Parish Church, London on Saturday January 27 while Evening of Tributes is scheduled to hold on Sunday January 28 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by 6 p.m.
His body is expected to depart London by 10 p.m. for Abuja on Monday January 29 where the Federal Government commendation ceremonies will take place the same day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Eagle Square in Abuja by 10 a.m.
The programme states that the remains of the late Ekwueme will depart Abuja for Enugu on Tuesday January 30, 2018 where Service of Songs will hold at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd by 4pm.
On Wednesday January 31, Okpara Square, Enugu will play host to the South-East commendation ceremonies before his body departs Enugu by motorcade to Awka, Capital of Anambra State on Thursday February 1, 2018 by 10 a.m. where Anambra State commendation ceremonies is scheduled to take place by 12pm at Ekwueme Square before departing to his home town Oko by 4 p.m.
In Oko, Service of Songs will take place the same day (February 1) by 5 p.m. while the burial rites will climax on Friday, February 2, when Lying in State will take place by 8 a.m.
It will be followed by funeral service by 11 a.m. and interment at his home by 1.30 p.m.
After interment, the two-week burial rites will continue on Saturday February 3 with condolence visits which will last till Tuesday February 6.
The SGF said the burial rite which was a concerted effort by the Federal Government, Anambra State Government and the family will finally end on Sunday February 11, 2018 with an Outing Service at St. John the Divine Church, Oko by 9 a.m.
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The burial rites of the late Dr Alex Ekwueme is a product of the 10-man committee set up by the federal government to give him a befitting state burial.
The commiittee headed by the SGF, Boss Mustapha, had the Minister of Works, Power and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Information Minister Lai Mohammed, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, Labour and Productivity Minister Chris Ngige and Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris as members.
Others are Director of Department of State Services, DSS, Director General Mallam Lawal Daura, Late Ekwueme’s son Pastor Goodheart Obi Ekwueme, Secretary to Anambra State Government, Prof. Osita Chukwulobelu and Permanent Secretary, General Services in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Dr. Roy P. Ugo.
Beyond the Federal Government instituted burial committee, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State also constituted a burial planning committee to ensure a hitch-free burial ceremony.
The Anambra burial committee is headed by Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu who is also a member of the Federal Government committee.
The committee also have the state First Lady Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, Sen. Stella Oduah, Sen. Joy Emordi, Chief Ogochukwu Ekwueme, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and Representatives of Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states as members.
The Next Edition gathered that Oko community, home town of the former Vice–President is already wearing a new look in preparation for the February 2 burial of the late South-East political icon.
Chief Cyprian Nwamuo, president general of Oko Peoples Union, OPU, painted the picture of the mood of his people and their preparation thus: “We are aware of the federal and state governments’ involvement in the burial of our late illustrious son; we will work with them where necessary, but we are working assiduously at our local level because Oko, as a community owns Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
“We are not expecting less from the federal and state government, but as Oko people, who own late Dr Ekwueme, we are leaving no stone unturned to give him the burial he deserves. We are so proud of him and will show the world that he was a son we were proud of any time, any day and even in death.”
He said the community was rehabilitating its civic center that would be named after Dr Alex Ekwueme and that a statue would be named after him was being built.
“We are also building a statue we will name after ‘Ide’s name. Late Dr Alex Ekwueme is popularly known in Old Aguata Union and Anambra State in general. We normally give every Oko man three days funeral activities, but we are giving Ide (Dr Alex Ekwueme) ten days funeral activities; we will allow the visitors to complete their funeral activities for him, and then we start our own,” he said.
Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON age 85, died on Sunday November 19, 2017 at a London hospital where he was taken to in coma after collapsing at his Enugu residence.
