Anambra State government has declared Thursday work-free day to enable Anambra people to participate effectively in the programme planned in honour of the late vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
A statement by Professor Solo Chukwudebelu, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, directed closure of markets and businesses in the state on that day to enable Ndi Anambra, friends, associates and well wishers to pay their last respects to the late Ekwueme.
He said those expected to attend the commendation ceremony include various social, cultural, religious, political, professional, educational, market men and women and other groups, adding that the ceremony would commence at 10am that day.
Meanwhile, the remainsΒ of late second republic Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Monday, arrived at Igbo land via Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.
Ekwueme’s body was flown from Professor Solo Chukwudebelu, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG,, Abuja in Nigeria Air Force plane marked NAF 918.
The plane landed at the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu, at about 2.08 pm.
Ekwueme remains was received by the Southeast Governorsβ Forum led by its chairman and governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, accompanied by governors of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano; Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
A former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has described the former Vice President, Late Dr. Alex Ekwueme as a good Nigerian, who showed us example through his commitment to nation- building.
Other dignitaries at the Airport that received the late Vice President included; President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma; National Chairman of United Progressives Party, UPP, Chief Chikwas Okorie; Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Ogbonnia Nwaifuru who led all the members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
Both chairmen of Ebonyi and Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Hon Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and Hon. Augustine Nnamani were also in attendance.
However, His Grace Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu diocese, has faulted the federal government claim that it has spent N1 billion for Ekwueme’s burial.
Bishop Chukwu who prayed for the successful burial of the late Dr. Ekwueme described the publication credited to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige that Federal Government has spent N1 billion for the burial as unacceptable. .
He said the federal government should explain what, where and how the N1 billion it claimed to have spent on the burial of Dr. Ekwueme, stressing that Ekwueme being an accountable man, the federal government must give account on how the N1 billion was spent.
Chukwuma described Ekwueme as a great politician in Nigeria that will never be forgotten as far as politics is concerned in this country.
βWe are happy that the government is giving him a befitting burial, but one thing is that people should emulate the legacies he left behind. It is not good to say all sorts of things without emulating what he left behind,β Chukwuma said.
Renovation work had already begun at the Ekwueme Square preparatory to the ceremony as canopies and stands were being mounted at various points.
Ekwueme was a good, exemplary Nigerian – Obi, Nwosu, Ogbeh, Orji
Obi, who accompanied his mortal remains from U.K Monday, spoke during the brief ceremonies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja. Describing Ekwueme as a father, Obi said that “the best way to preserve his memoriesΒ is through good governance along his lofty dreams of peace and development anchored on justice and equity, which he pursued with adamantine consistency.”
Similarly, Prof. ABC Nwosu, the former Minister of Health, said that Dr. Ekwueme, until his last breath, remained a thoroughbred professional, focused politician, committed patriot and worthy statesman. He prayed to God to grant him eternal rest.
On his part, Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture, hailed Ekwueme as a true father and a patriot.
Collaborating the foregoing, Senator Theodore Orji, the former Governor of Abia State, described Ekwueme as one politician that had the interest of the country at heart and remained focused and consistent on that.
