Top personalities including former President Olusegun, Yoruba leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, are among those expected to attend the burial ceremony of late Ohanaeze leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on November 3, 2024.
Chairman of the National Burial Planning Committee, Senator Ben Obi, who disclosed this in Abuja at the weekend, said more prominent Nigerians have expressed commitments to participate in the activities.
He said governors from the five Eastern States have also reaffirmed their support.
Obi who was represented at the media parley by Professor Ike Ikechukwu, Chairman of Media Sub-committee, said: “We have continued with the needed sensitisation of respected elder statesmen and women, as well stakeholders friends and well wishers within and outside the country.
“The South East governors, in their last meeting of yesterday, reaffirmed their resolve to give our leader the befitting and dignified exit rites he deserves.
“This is in addition to the support of national stakeholders and a diaspora community that is currently organising and projecting other activities in honour of Ahaejiagamba.
“As indicated in our earlier exchanges with the media, the series of activities lined up for this purpose will end with his final interment on the 1st of November, 2024.”
Prof. Ikechukwu who led a team of the burial committee members to the consultative parley described Iwuanyanwu as a gift of God to Ndigbo, the country and to the world in general, having touched many lives, communities and sectors in his long and eventful life.
“He invested heavily in nation building, group cohesion and the struggle for equity in our national life,” he noted.
He disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Adebanjo and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) have indicated interest to join the South East governors, leaders of the Middle Belt forum and Afenifere and other dignitaries from across the country to grace the final interment of Iwuanyanwu scheduled to take place on the 1st of November, 2024.
He thereby expressed gratitude to all Nigerians and well-wishers across the globe and the media, for their outpouring of love and support ahead of the burial of the late Icon.
National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, who was present at the parley, described the late Igbo leader as a worthy Nigerian who should be celebrated by all.
Iwuanyanwu who untill his demise on the 25th July this year was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and presidential aspirant of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).
