African Dignitaries set for Ikemba Day

Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu

African Dignitaries set for Ikemba Day
By Abdul Semiu Babalola, Lagos

An all Nigerian day of reminiscences tagged the Ikemba Day in honour of the late ex-biafran leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi, is to hold on February 24, 2012 in the commercial city of Lagos, Nigeria, with local and foreign dignitaries, including former Ghanaian leader, Jerry Rawlings expected at the occasion.

Senator Ben Obi, the Chairman, Contacts Sub-Committee of the National funeral Committee of the late former Governor of the Eastern Region, stated this in an interview with Voice of Nigeria (VON) shortly after a visit with other members to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos.

He said other dignitaries expected at the ceremony include, Frederick Forsyth, a renowned international author and friend of the deceased, Professor Wole Soyinka and Governor Babatunde Fashola, as the Guest of honour.

According to Senator Obi, “All the invited foreign dignitaries have confirmed their participation. You know the Ikemba was a visionary leader, the reminiscences is aimed at recapturing the Nigeria of the adolescent and post adolescent days of the late Ikemba which he spent in Lagos and during which all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and tongue, saw themselves as Nigerians “.

Correspondent Abdul Semiu Babalola reports that, the Deputy Chairman, of the Burial Committee, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, said the mission of the Committee’s visit was to brief the governor and seek his support for the activities lined up for the funeral of the founder of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Party, especially the Ikemba Day scheduled to take place in Lagos.

Senator Chukwumerije who congratulated Governor Fashola for his, “track record as one of the most proactive and diligent modernizers we have among the governors”,said the events leading to the final burial of Ikemba Nnewi would commence on February 14, 2012.

He said the ceremony would include delivering of speeches and also traditional dances, at different dates in different parts of the country including Lagos, Kano, Minna, Abuja and Enugu.

Response

Responding, Governor Fashola pledged the support of the State Government to the Committee to ensure a befitting burial for the former Military Governor of the defunct Eastern Region.

He said his administration would be glad to do all that would guarantee a befitting burial for late Ojukwu including providing venue and adequate security for the Ikemba Day scheduled to take place in Lagos on February 24, 2012.

The Governor also promised to facilitate prayers for the repose of the soul of Ikemba Nnewi in mosques and churches in the State on Friday and Sunday preceding the final burial of the deceased.

Background

The late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, died in a London hospital in the early hours of Saturday, November 26, 2011.

He will be buried on February 30 after a 40 day funeral ceremony which will be held variously in parts of the country including Lagos, Kano and Enugu between February 14 and 29, 2012.

Cokey