Ekwueme to be given state burial

The federal government has inaugurated an 11-member committee to organise a state burial for late former vice-president Alex Ekwueme who died on November 19 at a London hospital.

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), while inaugurating the committee on Tuesday urged it ensure that the late Ekwueme gets a befitting state burial.

Mustapha, who is also the chairman of the committee, said that it was open to new ideas.

He said the work plan to be used in the former vice-president’s burial was in tandem with previous state burial committees.

The SGF described Ekwueme who died at 85 as an “all rounder” who earned different levels of degrees in various fields; ranging from architecture to sociology, history, philosophy, and law.

Mustapha said: “Owing to the top public office he once held in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari thought it befitting to organise a state burial for him.

“This is also in keeping with the tradition in that regard as was done to the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, former Chief of General staff that died in 201.

“Same for the late Admiral Mike Akhigbe, former Chief of General staff who died in 2013.

“The only difference now is the absence of the Nigerian Navy in the burial committee.

“The Nigerian Navy had played prominent roles in the burial activities of former chiefs of general staff, who incidentally were both at different time, chiefs of naval staff.”

The SGF also said the police would play some of the roles that the navy had previously undertaken.

He said Ekwueme rendered valuable services to the country and was a strong voice in ensuring unity and stability.

Members of the committee are Roy Ugo, secretary of the committee; Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing; Lai Mohammed, minister of information; Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance; Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment.

Other members are Willie Obiano, govenor of Anambra; Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police; Lawal Daura, director-general of the Department of State Security Service (DSS); Goodheart Obi Ekwueme and Osita Chukwulobelu.