Committee releases Ben Nwabueze’s burial activities

The Ben Nwabueze national burial committee co-chaired by Emeka Anyaoku, former commonwealth secretary-general; and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; has announced activities for the burial of the late elder stateman.

Nwabueze, pioneer secretary-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo socio-cultural group, died on October 28, 2023 at the age of 92 in Anambra state.

In a statement on Monday, Olawale Okunniyi, the committee’s secretary, said the burial activities will commence on February 22 with a valedictory court session at the Lagos state high court premises in Ikeja, at 2 p.m.

The event will be presided over by Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, chief judge of Lagos.

According to the statement, the committee also scheduled February 23 as a day of tributes at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The statement said the late Nwabueze will be buried in a private family ceremony at his country home in Atani, Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state on February 29.

Also, March 1 has been fixed as the day of national tributes and celebration of the impactful and very worthy life and times of Nwabueze at Atani.

On March 18, “The Patriots”, a group of eminent national leaders, will hold a national colloquium/dialogue at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“The historic National Colloquium being organised in honour of Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, a foremost champion of the 2014 National Confab, will be chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON, Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Chairman of The Patriots,” the statement reads.

“Expected at the various events of the Obsequies announced above are; delegations and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Former Presidents and Former Vice Presidents of Nigeria Various State Governors including host Governors in Lagos and Anambra States, Former Governors, Delegation and Members of the National Assembly, Former Senators and Former Members of the House of Representatives.

“Others are; Present and Former Members of State Legislative Assembly, Envoys of Foreign Missions in Nigeria, Leaders of Socio-Cultural and Political Groups, Delegation and Members of the Bench and the Bar, Close Associates and Friends of the late eminent jurist.”