By TONY EDIKE
ENUGU—THE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said yesterday that the burial of former Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, would be a unique platform for the unity of Ndigbo.

Leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, stated this during a briefing at the Enugu residence of Ojukwu where the 7-day prayers and mourning declared by his organisation for the departed elder statesman last week was concluded.

Uwazurike thanked Ndigbo in Nigeria and in the Diaspora for observing the mourning period and their tremendous support for Ojukwu while he was in hospital in London, expressing happiness that the mourning and prayers were very successful.

He recalled MASSOB’s earlier plan to convene a meeting of Igbo leaders at Ojukwu’s residence this month to chart a new course for Ndigbo but regretted that the death of the ex-Biafran leader laid the plan to rest.

Uwazuruike stated that the burial rites of Ojukwu would be announced by his family, adding that MASSOB would assist the family to make arrangements for a befitting funeral for the late icon.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, assured that all interested parties would be accommodated in the burial rites of Ojukwu.

Umeh said although the mourning and prayers declared by MASSOB ended yesterday, Igbos would continue to mourn their late leader because of his selfless services while he was alive.

He disclosed that Ojukwu’ s family and other stakeholders had commenced plans to give him a befitting burial, adding that his children had arrived Nigeria from London.