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Sunday, 19 May 2013

Achebe’s body arrives today

The remains of celebrated writer, Chinua
Achebe is expected to be flown into the
country, today to kick-start a week-long
burial rites. Achebe died on March 21,
2013 at 82.
Meanwhile, the people of Ogidi,
hometown of the literary icon, weekend
said they were prepared to work with
other committees set up for a befiting
buril of their illustrous son.
Achebe, a former president general of
Ogido Town Union, belonged to the
highest titled group in Ogidi known as
Ndichie Une.
Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe
Chairman of media and publicity sub-
committee of the committee set up by
Ogidi for burial as well as a member of a
similar committee set up by the
Anambra State government, Chief Bob
Manuel Udokwu, who briefed news men
in Awka, said that what matters to Ogidi
people is that their son was accorded a
befitting burial.
According to details of the burial
activities released by Udokwu, Achebe's
body would arrive Nigeria on May 19.
There would be prayers at the
Ecumenicasl Center, Abuja same day,
while cultural events and reading of
Achebe's books would take place the
following day. There would also be an
Airport reception for him by members
of the Association of Nigerian Authors,
ANA,and Ogidi people at the Abuja
Airport before the body departs for
Enugu Airport where the body would be
received by South East governors to be
led by their chairman, Mr. Peter Obi.
He said that though the body would not
be taken to the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, there would be a procession for
him and other ceremonies in that
institution, while the body would arrive
Awka on the 22nd to be received at the
Amansea border by a cross section of
Anambra people.
Thereafter, there would be a brief
church service for him at the Alex
Ekwueme square in Awka to be led by
the Anglican Bishop of Awka. The body
would arrive Ogidi on 23rd for a funeral
service at St Phillip's Anglican Church,
Akpakaogwe,Ogidi where the primary
school attended by Achebe

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