Preparations are in top gear for the funeral ceremony of late President General of Ohan’eze Nd’Igbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR (Ahaejiamba) whose day of tributes scheduled Wednesday, October 16 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites Lagos will set the tempo of 17 days long activities.
Updating Online Publishers in Abuja on the preparations, the Chairman of the national burial committee, Sen. Ben Obi CON (Ojeligbo), said: “We have continued with all important arrangements for the final burial rites of a respected elder statesman, nationalist and patriot, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo).
“The Federal Government, state governors and governments, major regional political and sociocultural organizations, elder statesmen and women, Youth and women organizations have reaffirmed their individual and collective resolve to give Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu a befitting burial.”
Sen. Obi who was represented by Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, the chairman of the National Burial’s sub-committee on Media and Publicity, noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu was a gift of God to Ndigbo, Nigeria and to the world in general, adding that he touched many lives, communities and sectors in his long and eventful life.
According to him, “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.”
Sen. Obi further outlined the Programmes of events set to give a befitting burial to the late President General of Ohan’eze Nd’Igbo thus: “The actual funeral programme will commence on Wednesday, October 16 2024, with a Day of Tributes in Lagos. The venue is Eko Hotels and Suites.
“This will be followed by another Day of Tributes in Abuja, on Friday October 18th 2024. The venue a Day of for the event is the National Ecumenical Centre.
“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 Micheal 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.”
Prof. Ikechukwu explained that the elaborate arrangement was necessary in order to ‘regenerate interest’ on the persona of Chief Iwuanyanwu as the generation that knew him has largely passed on.
He cited that when alive, Chief Iwuanyanwu bestrode and impacted on the Nigerian economy with investments in media (publisher of Champion Newspapers), banking (ABC Merchant Bank) sports (Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club), aviation (Oriental Airlines), construction sector (Hardel and Enic Construction Company Limited) as well as being a philanthropist with large heart.
According to him, 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
Prof. Ikechukwu assured that in line with Chief Iwuanyanwu’s legacy of unity, the committee is ensuring that all events are inclusive, dignified, and accessible to all who wish to pay their last respects.
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