The burial committee set up to plan a state burial of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a former vice president of Nigeria, have released a burial schedule which indicates that the elder statesman will be laid to rest on February 2, 2018 in his hometown.
Boss Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation, made this known while briefing journalists on Thursday, January 18, 2018 in Abuja.
Mustapha, who is the Chairman of the committee, was represented by Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is also a member of the committee.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, which was inaugurated on December 15, 2017, has come up with a nine-day long programme for the burial.
The programme will start from Friday, January 19, 2018.
The SGF described the first elected Vice President of Nigeria as an accomplished architect, town planner, philanthropist and politician.
On Friday, January 19, 2018, at 2 pm, there will be a Memorial Service at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina Lagos, while at 5 pm, there will be an Evening of Tributes and Music at Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.
On Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 2 pm, there will be a Memorial Service at St Marylebone Parish Church London.
On Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 6 pm, there will be a Service of Songs and evening of tributes at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Similarly, on Monday, January 29, 2018, at Noon., there will be a Parade of Honour at the Presidential wing, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after which Ekwueme’s body will depart to Enugu and will be received by South East governors at the airport.
On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at 4 pm, there will be a Service of Songs at Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu.
On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 10 am, there will be South East commendation service at Okpara Square, Enugu.
On Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 10 am, the body will depart for Awka at Noon, and there will be Anambra Commendation service at Ekwueme Square, Awka.
By 4 pm, the body will depart for Oko, Ekwueme’s hometown, a Service of Songs will hold at his residence from 5 pm.
On Friday, February 2, 2018, at 8 am, there will be lying-in-state at his residence, and by 11 am, there will be the funeral service at St. John the Divine Church, Oko, followed by interment and reception.
On Sunday, February 11, 2018, at 9 am, there will be an outing service at the St John the Divine Church, Oko.
The SGF called on all professional groups and individuals whose lives and interests were impacted on by the departed statesman to be part of the burial ceremonies to pay him their last respect.
