By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The final journey to the great beyond of the late President General of Igbo socio-political apex body, Ohaneze Ndigbo (Worldwide), Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu will commence on October 16, 2024 in Lagos state.
According to Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu National Burial Committee, the final burial rites of the fallen nationalist cum industrialist will begin Wednesday, October 16 and end on Friday, November 1, 2024 when the remains of the foremost entrepreneur will be laid to rest at his family house in Atta, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state.
Speaking at the inaugural press conference on Thursday at Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Senator Ben Ndi Obi revealed that the committee has finalised late Chief Iwuanyanwu’s funeral programme and it has become imperative that the public be made aware of it.
He said the final burial rites of the patriotic Nigerian and one of the leading lights of the Igbo nation will commence with Lagos Day of Tributes slated for Eko Convention Center in Victoria Island on Wednesday, October 16 while Abuja Day of Tributes will hold at National Ecumenical Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday, October 18.
Senator Obi also announced that the burial train will move to the South East regional headquarters of Enugu in Enugu state on Saturday, October 26, 2024 for Enugu Day of Tributes with a stop-over at his Parklane abode and later at Okpara Square where the public will pay their respects.
Subsequently, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s body will be flown to Owerri, Imo state via Owerri on Tuesday, October 29 for onward movement to his country home Atta, Ikeduru while the Owerri Day of Tributes will hold on Friday, November 1 at Cathedral Of The Transfiguration (CATOL), Anglican Church of Nigeria, Owerri.
Finally, Imo Day of Burial will hold same day (November 1) as Chief Iwuanyanwu’s remains will be taken to his final resting place in his compound at Atta, Ikeduru LGA.
Present at the press conference in Abuja are Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftains including Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; National Burial Committee Members Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso; Senator Uche Ekwunife; General Azubuike
Onyeabo Ihejirika (rtd); Professor Okey Ikechukwu; Professor Obiora Okonkwo; Dr. (Mrs) Nwadiuto Iwuanyanwu-Iheakanwa and Chief Jidenna Iwuanyanwu, the deceased children and Dr. Emeka Nwosu among others.
Prompt News recalls that Chief Iwuanyanwu, a well known businessman and politician, known for his significant contributions to various sectors of the country’s economy, sports and media, died on July 25, 2024.
The National Burial Committee was inaugurated shortly after his the death by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
It has South-East stakeholders, including serving and no-serving senators as members.
Briefing newsmen after the constitution of the committee, Uzodinma, who is also the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, said that the Committee was set up to give the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo a befitting burial.
“The national committee for the burial of our great leader, Iwuanyanwu, the immediate past President-General of Ndigbo has been constituted.
“The whole idea is to give him a very befitting burial that his status deserves,” he said.
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