The body of late Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe arrived in
Nigeria earlier today in Abuja. Prof. Achebe's body arrived in a Nigerian
flag-draped casket which was received at the airport by Nigerian officials led
by the Secretary to the federal government.
His coffin was then wheeled first to a church service at the
Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport before proceeding to the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the people of Ogidi, hometown of the literary
icon, weekend said they were prepared to work with other committees set up for
a befitting burial of their illustrious son.
Achebe, a former president general of Ogidi Town Union,
belonged to the highest titled group in Ogidi known as Ndichie Une.
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 today. There would be prayers at the
Ecumenical 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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