FG begins burial rites of Ekwueme as ex-VP goes home Feb 2
The Federal Government has announced that the late Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, will be laid to rest on February 2.
The announcement was made Thursday in Abuja by the Burial Committee set up by the Federal Government in December 2017.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, at a media briefing in Abuja, said that the federal government was working with the governments of the five South Eastern states to give Ekwueme a befitting burial.
According to the announcement, the burial ceremonies will commence with a memorial service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos at 2pm on Friday, January 19, 2018. It will be followed with an Evening of Tributes and Music at about 5pm on the same day at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
The activities will continue in London with a memorial service at St. Marylebone Parish Church.
On Sunday, January 28, the ceremonies will shift to Abuja with a Service of Songs and Evening of Tributes at the International Conference Centre at about 6pm.
The committee further announced fthat on Monday, January 29, there will be Parade of Honour at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 12noon.
Thereafter, the body will depart to Enugu and will be received by the South East Governors at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
On Tuesday, January 30, at about 4pm, there will be Service of Songs at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu.
On Wednesday, January 31 at 10am, a South East Commendation Service holds at Okpara Square, Enugu.
The committee further disclosed that on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 10am, the body departs for Awka in a Motorcade for a Commendation Service by Anambra State billed for 12pm at the Ekwueme Square.
The body is expected to depart for his home town, Oko at about 4pm, with a Service of Songs billed for 5pm at the late vice president’s residence.
The committee said the Lying-in-State will hold at Ekwueme’s residence at about 8am on Friday, February 2 while funeral service will hold thereafter at St. John the Divine Church, Oko at about 11am.
It added that the interment of the late Ekwueme will follow after the Church service.
To round off the burial, there will be an Outing Service on Sunday, February 11 at St. John the Divine Church, Oko at about 9am.
Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
