Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State Government has announced fresh arrangements for the burial of its former governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike).
Ezeife was the Governor of Anambra State between January 2, 1992, and November 1993. He died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja on December 14, 2023, at the age of 86.
Before his death, he was an Igbo leader and statesman in Nigeria and contributed immensely to the promotion of Igbo matters as well as Nigerian politics.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s government has since declared that Late Ezeife would be given a state burial and in accordance with the burial law of the state.
However, a burial poster signed by Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information, has it that the burial rites would commence with pre-burial events.
The events contained in the burial programme include: Service of songs at the Ecumenical Centre, FCT Abuja on April 12, 2024, at 5.pm; Celebration of Life and Times of Okwadike at the Eagle Square, FCT, Abuja on April 13, at 10.am; and National Night of Tributes at Thisday Dome, FCT, Abuja on April 15, at 5.pm.
Others are: State Commendation and Thanksgiving Service at the International Conference Centre, Awka on April 19, at 10.am with tributes commencing immediately after Service; Service of Songs at his country home, Igboukwu, by the Salvation Army Church on April 19, at 5.pm.
The Burial Service will hold at Okwadike’s Igboukwu Residence on April 20, at 10.am, with interment and condolence visits following immediately after the Service.
These will be capped with a Thanksgiving Service at the Salvation Army Church, Igboukwu slated for April 21, at 9.am.