Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
There is a looming showdown between Anambra State Government and Igboukwu community in Aguata Local Government Area over the burial of deceased former governor of the state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
Ezeife, a Harvard-trained economist, was the first Executive Governor of Anambra State between January 1992 to November 1993 during the aborted Third Republic and also a former federal permanent secretary.
He died on December 14, last year, about three weeks after Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, another former governor of the State, who died in April, was buried.
Ikengaonline gathered that the family of Ezeife planned to begin funeral activities in April this year to bid the statesman final farewell, almost four months after his death. However, the plans contravene the burial law taken seriously by Soludo’s government.
Among other things, the state burial law prohibits the erection of billboards, banners, and posters of deceased persons. Persons are allowed to erect only directional posts. However, such directional posts must not be erected seven days before the burial date and should be removed not later than seven days after the burial date.
The law also provides that corpses should not be left in a mortuary beyond two months from the date of death. It further states that there will be no food, drink, life band, or cultural entertainers during or after burial ceremonies. And that embalmed corpses shall not be exposed for more than 30 minutes from the time of exposition. Also, no funeral brochure should be made except for the Order of Mass/Service on the day of burial, among many others.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a source said the Igboukwu community has refused plans by the Anambra State Government to conduct Ezeife’s burial only just for a day according to Anambra State burial law.
The source confirmed that the government is resolute about upholding the burial law and has canceled the mounting of billboards and posters for the burial.
The source said the community has resolved that even if the state refuses to participate in the burial, the community would be able to raise a substantial amount of money to give the former Governor a befitting burial.
The source stated that some stakeholders have waded into the matter to make the Governor see reasons with the community.
