Soldiers and policemen will provide security at the funeral of the
late Prof. Chinua Achebe whose remains arrived in the country yesterday.
The body was first flown to Abuja from Boston, United States where he
died on March 21. It was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport, Abuja at 6am. The late author’s wife, Christie, and children,
Ike, Chidi, Chinelo and Nwando; in-laws and top dignitaries were at the
airport to receive his body.
The body was inside a dark brown casket covered with Nigerian flag.
It was transferred from the aircraft into an Oxblood ambulance whose
number plate carried the late author’s name: Chinua Achebe.
The body was taken into the reception hall of the airport in a
procession led by the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Bishop Owen
Nwokolo. It was accompanied by family members; Anambra State Governor
Peter Obi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Anyim
Pius Anyim; Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo; former Abia State
Governor Ogbonnaya Onu and former Minister of State for Education Dr.
Jerry Agada.
The reception service began with hymns and prayers.
In his sermon, Rev. Nwokolo said the late Achebe was a great man of dignity and excellence.
He said: “I remember today Achebe’s legendary statement which says,
‘if a man returns from a long journey, and no one says welcome, he feels
he has not arrived or nno.’ We are gathered to say nno to Achebe. He
has come back, though dead but we know that his works keep him alive in
our hearts. We are gathered to receive him because of what he has
accomplished throughout the world.”
He said the late Achebe would be remembered for his humility,
patriotism and transparency, adding that he was a man who lived an
exemplary life.
Rev. Nwokolo said: “He was contented with what he had. He rejected
the National Honours twice because he wanted the government to correct
their corrupt system first. While others lived all their lives to corner
wealth, Achebe lived an exemplary life. The world should learn from his
legacies. He was wealthy but never allowed his wealth to mar his
reputation.”
Obi said the late Achebe lived the life he preached in his books.
Although he was the only governor at the airport to receive the late
Achebe’s body, he claimed he was representing other governors.
Ike, the late Achebe’s first born, said he was astonished by the
response he got from all over the world, noting that the support the
family has received has been tremendous.
He said: “I want to appreciate everyone that has worked tirelessly to ensure that the transition is peaceful. I thank you all.”
The body was flown to Enugu from where it left for Anambra for other transitional activities and burial in Ogidi tomorrow.
The body arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and was received by a large crowd of people from Ogidi.
The body, which arrived at about 12.36 p.m. aboard a private
aircraft, Overland Nigeria, with registration number 5N-BPE was
accompanied by the late Achebe’s wife and children.
The body was received by the deceased’s elder brother, Chief
Augustine Achebe, other family members, the Secretary to the Enugu State
Government (SSG), Mr Amechi Okolo, some commissioners and different
cultural troupes from Ogidi.
Anambra Police’s spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka told The Nation that all
the security arrangements for the burial had been concluded.
Chukwuemeka said the police would work with other security agencies and the Army to ensure a hitch-free ceremony.
“The level of preparation is very high; everything had been done to
ensure that all the dignitaries that would be coming into Anambra State
are safe and protected.
“All the T’s had been crossed and all the I’s dotted, in terms of
security arrangement towards the burial of Chinua Achebe. As long as
they (dignitaries) want, they are safe; they should come around and pay
their last respect to the departed professor. Nobody will disturb
anybody; they (unruly youths in the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha) have
been contained.’’
Briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Secretary to the State
Government, Oseloka Obaze said the body of the late Achebe would be
brought to the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka today.
He said: “No shop will be closed; it is a voluntary thing, but we
have invited all Ndi Anambra, civil servants, traders and schools to
attend Achebe’s funeral. I can tell you without any equivocation that
the governors of the Southeast have been supportive in the funeral
arrangements and they will be there to receive Mr. President tomorrow
during the funeral.”
He said the ArchBishop of Canterbury would attend the funeral with
about four other Heads of States, who would accompany President Goodluck
Jonathan.
---the nation
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