The Representatives of countries that recognised and supported Biafra during the Nigeria Civil War – Gabon, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Zambia – arrived Enugu on Wednesday for Thursday's (today) funeral activities and Friday's interment programme for the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State on Wednesday also made a cash donation to Biafra war veterans at a Requiem Mass organised for the repose of the soul of late Ikemba Nnewi in Enugu.
Obi did not disclose the amount of money for security reasons, but assured the ex-Biafran soldiers that each of them would go home with a huge sum of money.
At the Requiem Mass held at the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Rev. Obiora Ike also announced Obi's donation of vests and caps with Ojukwu's insignia and picture to the war veterans.
The governor's donation followed a rendition of gospel hymns and Biafra war songs by the veterans, a development that drew ovation from the congregation and other members of the public who had besieged the premises to see the casket bearing Ojukwu's remains.
In his sermon, the Administrator of Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Rev. John Nwafor, anchored on the need for unity in diversity, saying, "Unless Nigeria embraced true federalism with a weak centre, which Ojukwu proposed many years ago, the country would know no peace."
Nwafor said although he wanted Nigeria to remain one, there was need for everybody to come together and dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government raided the streets of Awka and Nnewi to clear them of beggars, lunatics and the homeless ahead of the burial.
More than a thousand destitutes had been taken out of the streets as at Wednesday and dumped at a rehabilitation centre at Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area.
Some of the beggars, however, escaped, abandoning their begging bowls as the security agents and government officials approached their bases.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Ego Uzoezie, who supervised the operation, said the raid was in accordance with the wish of Ojukwu while alive.
She said those evacuated would be taken to the state government rehabilitation centre at Nteje for rehabilitation and later on, reunited with their families.
She also said those in stable condition would be sent to the 21 skill acquisition centres in the state for training.
Uzoezie said the raid would extend to other cities after the burial of Ojukwu. Nnewi and Awka are two cities where Ojukwu's remains will be taken during the burial ceremonies.
She said, "The late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, did not believe in Ndigbo begging for anything and his wish was that no beggar would litter the streets of the capital city and environs on the day of his motorcade to Nnewi for his state burial in Awka.
"He believed in hard work and had encouraged our people to work hard. Hence, we are striving to ensure his wish is carried out."
The commissioner said apart from clearing the streets of beggars for the burial of Ojukwu, the state would use the opportunity to know the number of beggars in the state that are actually indigenes and those who are non-indigenes.
The Deputy Director on Social Welfare and enforcement officer, Mrs. Rose Udeagbala said the raid was an annual event to clear the state of beggars, but the current raid was special because it was in keeping with the request of late Ojukwu that Igbo, especially Anambra people, should not be seen begging along the streets. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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