The burial rites of the late internationally acclaimed writer, Chinua Achebe, has begun with the arrival of his body at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday morning.
The rites will climax with his interment on Thursday, in his hometown, Ogidi, Anambra State, South East Nigeria.
The rites will climax with his interment on Thursday, in his hometown, Ogidi, Anambra State, South East Nigeria.
The body of the late writer arrived in Nigeria at about 8am on board an Overland Airline jet.
A Service of Songs was conducted in honour of the late literary icon at the airport before an Igbo traditional dance group performed outside the venue. The body was expected to be taken to the National Assembly for a reception there but this part of the programme was shelved and no official reason was given for the change of plan as at the time of this report.
After the brief service of song at the Airport, the body of the late Achebe was conveyed back to into the Overland Airline jet and flown to Enugu.
The body is expected in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Wednesday May 22 preceded by a border reception at Amansea by a cross section of Anambra people.
This would be followed by a short service for him at the Alex Ekwueme Square also in Awka. The body would arrive in his hometown, Ogidi, the same day for a funeral service at St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, Akpakaogwe, Ogidi, to be followed by interment on Thursday, May 23.
Service of songs in honour of late Chinua Achebe at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Chinua Achebe's corpse being loaded into an Overland Airland Jet, en route Enugu.
Members of the Ogidi Union Nigeria (Abuja Branch), women wing join others at the Airport to receive the body of late Chinua Achebe
The Overland Airline Jet conveying the body of late Chinua Achebe ready for the trip to Enugu.His remains would be interred at his Ikenga Ogidi country home, where a hanging mausoleum is built for his final resting.
Burial Arrangements
BURIAL PROGRAMME OF PROFESSOR CHINUALUMOGU ACHEBE
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DAY/DATE
| ACTIVITIES | TIME/LOCATION | |
| DAY 1 May 19th Sunday | DAY OF PRAYERS AND RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. | 3.00pm. National Christian Center, Abuja.It shall also hold at other Centres throughout Nigeria and beyond. | |
| DAY 2May 20th Monday | ANA SYMPOSIUM Association of Nigerian Authors’ Symposium on the life and times of Professor Chinualumogu Achebe DAY OF TRIBUTES.Tributes from National and International leaders, writers and associates of Professor Achebe from all over the World. Arrangements will be made for those who are not present to relay their tributes via live telecast.A number of cultural troupes drawn from different parts of the Country shall perform during the night of tributes. | 10.00 am – 1.00 pm .International Conference Centre, Abuja 5.00 pm –8.00 pm. International Conference Centre, Abuja | |
| DAY 3. May 21st Tuesday | BODY ARRIVES NIGERIA. Airport Reception.Body will be received upon arrival by a delegation of Nigerian Leaders. Diplomatic and Cultural representatives from African Nations shall be in attendance to pay their respects.Cultural troupes from different parts of the African continent shall perform at the airport reception.Reception in the Federal Capital
Body departs for Enugu
Enugu Airport Reception.
The body shall be received at the Enugu airport by the South Eastern Governors under the chairmanship of H.E. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State/Ohanaeze leadership/Traditional Rulers.
Academic Procession and Ceremony
The University of Nigeria and sister Universities in the region and beyond, will participate in an academic procession and ceremony at the Enugu campus, where a short and solemn ceremony will be conducted.
Ohanaeze Night of Mourning and Ikoro Salute.
| Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
National Assembly
Akanu-Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Enugu Campus
7.00pm. Ohanaeze Secretariat, Park avenue, Enugu
| |
| DAY 4.May 22ndWednesday | Body departs for Anambra State and is received at the boundary of Enugu and Anambra States by the Governor of Anambra State and other leaders.CELEBRATION OF LIFE CARNIVALA carnival of African culture shall be on display to celebrate the life and works of Chinua AchebeAll State Governors and Federal Ministers will participate.
The body departs Awka and will be received at Ogidi by members of the family, the President General of Ogidi Town Union, Ogidi Regent in Council and the Elders of Ogidi.
Body will then proceed and be received at the Idemmili Local Government Headquarters.
Body will proceed and be received at the Ogidi Town Hall.
Body will then proceed to Achebe’s compound for Christian Service of Songs.
Literary Obsequies and wake-keep by the Association of Nigerian Authors till dawn.
| Enugu-Anambra States Border.Alex Ekwueme Stadium.
OGIDI
Idemmili Local Government Hqtrs,Ogidi
Ogidi Town Hall
Achebe’s Family Compound.
Achebe’s Family Compound.
| |
| DAY 5. May 23rd Thursday | BURIAL SERVICE AND INTERMENTBody will lie in state in his residence. Family groups will undertake a procession.Body departs to the church for a traditional Anglican Burial ServiceThe President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other Heads of State, State Governors, Diplomats and International Literary dignitaries will be in attendance.
Body moves back to the Family residence after the Church service for interment.
The family begins to receive condolence visits from guests.
| Achebe’s Family Compound.St. Phillips Anglican Church, Ogidi.
Achebe’s Family Compound.
Achebe’s Family Compound.
| |
| DAY 6 May 24th Friday | IKWA OZU MUSLIM JU’MAT SERVICE. Nigerians offer prayers. | Achebe’s Family Compound.Central Mosque Abuja. | |
| DAY 7 May 25th Saturday | IKWA OZU CONTINUES | Achebe’s Family Compound. | |
| DAY 8th May 26thSunday | CHRISTIAN OUTING SERVICE/THANKSGIVING | St Phillips Anglican Church, Ogidi. | |
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