The body of late Dim Chukwuemeka
Odumegwu-Ojukwu arrived Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, from
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Tuesday and proceeded to the Enugu State
Government House in an Army ambulance.
Ojukwu’ body was accompanied by the
wife, Bianca; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; and National Chairman
of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, among
others. It was received by the state Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi.
There was a brief military parade with
the National Anthem preceded with church service ministered by Monsinor
Obiora Ike. Bianca took the first reading from the Acts of the Apostle. Wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Clara Chime, took the second reading.
A major church service is expected to
hold today (Wednesday) at Holy Ghost Cathederal, Ogui, Enugu while the
state function takes place at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu on Thursday
where President Goodluck Jonathan is expected.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has declared Thursday, March 1, 2012, a public holiday in honour of Ojukwu.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary
to Governor Sullivan Chime, Chukwudi Achife, on Tuesday said the
holiday was to enable Enugu citizens to attend and participate actively
in the Enugu State leg of funeral ceremonies which would hold at the
Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
According to him, President Jonathan would attend the ceremony, which would commence by 10am.
The state government enjoined all
citizens, market associations, traders, artisans and students to turn up
en masse to give due honour to the departed hero.
According to the statement, a requiem
mass would be held in honour of Ojukwu at the Holy Ghost Cathedral on
Wednesday (today) by 10am followed by the evening of tributes that would
hold at the Enugu Sports Club.
Also, President General, Igbo Community
Association, Kwara State, Mr. Truelove Njoku, said Igbo people resident
in Kwara State would observe Friday, March 2, as a non-working day in
honour of Ojukwu, who would be interred on that day.
He said all Igbo people in Kwara State would not carry out any business on that day but would remain indoor from 6am to 6pm.
He advised Ndigbo to observe Friday as a day of prayer and sober reflection.
Speaking in Ilorin on Tuesday during a
tribute to Ojukwu, he called on the Federal Government to immortalise
Ojukwu, saying he fought for justice, fair play, and unity of Nigerians.
He also urged the Federal Government, members of the National Assembly and governors to step up strategies against insecurity.
Njoku said, “We are in Nigeria now. We
are not talking of secession so any Nigerian is supposed to feel safe
anywhere he is in this country.”
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