Courtesy of Premiumtimes!
The burial rites of Nigeria’s literary icon, Chinua Achebe, began with the arrival of his body at the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja this morning.
The rites will climax with his interment on Thursday, in his
hometown, Ogidi, Anambra state.
Gov Peter Obi was
responsible for chattering the Overland Airline that is conveying the
corpse.
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| The corpse is right now being loaded into an Overland Airland Jet, en route Enugu. |
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| Akata dike fulu tinye isi na ofia – Culture on display at the Airport reception. |
Also attending the airport reception are
Service of Songs at the airport is over. An Igbo traditional dance
group is performing outside the venue while guests take a light
refreshment, getting ready to head for the National Assembly, in the
heart of the city.
Meanwhile, Achebe’s body has been laid back in the conveying car.
Achebe’s body arrives Abuja
Brief service ongoing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Burial programme
| BURIAL PROGRAMME OF PROFESSOR CHINUALUMOGU ACHEBE | |||
| 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. | 10.00am – 1.00pm.International Conference Centre, Abuja 5.00pm – 8.00pm.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 Academic Procession and Ceremony The University of Nigeria and sister Universities in the region and 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 Achebe All State Governors and Federal Ministers will participate. The body departs Awka and will be received at Ogidi by members of the 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 Service The 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. | |
