Ojukwu for burial Feb.3

Abuja-(NAN) The 40-man committee for the burial of Odumegwu-Ojukwu has  fixed  Feb. 3, 2012  as the date for the burial of the late Ikemba of Nnewi.

Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, the Deputy Chairman of the committee, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday.

Ojukwu died on Nov. 26 in London after a protracted illness.

Chukwumerije said the internment ceremonies would commence on Jan. 30, 2012, with the arrival of the remains of Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu from London.

He said the internment activities would last for 12 days, terminating on Feb. 10, 2012.

The Senator said the burial rites and events would be spread across several cities and state capitals across the nation, including Lagos, Enugu, Calabar and others.

He said the internment period would be preceded by a 5-day pre-burial activities, including the traditional communal “search” for a missing member by each of the five South Eastern states.

He said that details of the funeral activities would be announced later.

Chukwumerije said the committee has retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, as the chairman and Prof. A.B.C Nwosu, as the Secretary

He listed other members of the burial committee to include Sen. Ben Obi, Chairman of the contacts/outreach sub-committee; Prof. George Obiozor, Documentation/Publications sub-commiittee; and two representatives from each of the five South East states.

Chukwumerije said that eight people were nominated from Ojukwu`s close family members, associates and Nnewi people as well as one nominee from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

He added that one person each was also selected to represent the four states that constituted the former Eastern Region; two nominees from APGA and three nominees from Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo as well as two representatives of youth organisations.