By Tony Adibe
The late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), will be given exceptional funeral rites.
This was made known on Friday, by the Chairman of the Central Burial Committee, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, (Ojeligbo), during the inauguration ceremony of the Sub-Committees and the Local Organizing Committees (LOC) at the Imo State Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, according to a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
Senator Obi explained that the late Ahaejiagamba was a global citizen and a nationalist whose contributions to national development are legendary. He added that Iwuanyanwu was a success story in diverse fields of human endeavours. But most importantly, Iwuanyanwu served the Igbo at an elderly age with utmost passion, dedication and sincerity.
Senator Obi stated that there will be Days of Tributes for Chief Iwuanyanwu at Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Owerri. The Service of Songs is slated for Tuesday, October 29, at Attah, Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, while the interment takes place in his country home, Attah, on November 1, 2024.
The programme further indicated that there will be more elaborate ceremonies at Enugu including taking the corpse of Chief Iwuanyanwu to the Headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, no 7 Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu. The Burial Committee assured that more details of the above events will be communicated to the general public, according to him.
Senator Obi seized the opportunity to express immense delight that eminent persons and groups have shown interests and enthusiasm in giving a befitting farewell to the late Igbo Leader. He however, cautioned that “the only authentic Burial Committee for the funeral of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is the one that was set up by the South East Governors Forum led by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, the Governor of Imo State.”
Obi emphasised that “It is, therefore advised that, to avoid clash of events and inappropriate channels, any other group that wants to organize any event with respect to the funeral rites of Chief Iwuanyanwu should contact the Central Burial Committee for clarifications.”
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by the former governor of Anambra State, Sen. Chris Ngige, CON. Others include the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Secretary of the Burial Committee, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR; Prince Garry Igariwey, the former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and Deputy Chairman of the Burial Planning Committee, Mr. Jide Iwuanyanwu, amongst others.
