Widow of the Ikemba Nnewi, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, touched down at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, yesterday evening dressed in all black attire. Bianca, who had been in London, returned to Enugu for the first time since the death of her husband on November 26.
Although Bianca could not speak to newsmen at the airport, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, who escorted her, said that the February burial date for Ojukwu was actually chosen by President Jonathan.
“Actually, the date was given by the family and the governor of Anambra State was mandated to meet with the President over two possible dates; they were January 27, and February 2; and after the meeting with Mr. President, he chose February 2.
“You know the president has shown tremendous interest in the affairs of our leader in the past eight months. So, we had to consult him before the date was officially announced; these dates were suggested by the family after the short meeting we had in London.
“When the president chose February 2, then the governor’s forum now announced it. No time will be enough to plan for our leader’s burial; but he has died and must be committed to mother earth according to
Christian tradition.
“So we are going to prepare now that the widow has just returned; all arrangements will start with the family. We just returned from Abuja and we are taking her to her husband’s home and from there the family, the Ojukwu’s will take over.
Although Bianca could not speak to newsmen at the airport, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, who escorted her, said that the February burial date for Ojukwu was actually chosen by President Jonathan.
“Actually, the date was given by the family and the governor of Anambra State was mandated to meet with the President over two possible dates; they were January 27, and February 2; and after the meeting with Mr. President, he chose February 2.
“You know the president has shown tremendous interest in the affairs of our leader in the past eight months. So, we had to consult him before the date was officially announced; these dates were suggested by the family after the short meeting we had in London.
“When the president chose February 2, then the governor’s forum now announced it. No time will be enough to plan for our leader’s burial; but he has died and must be committed to mother earth according to
Christian tradition.
“So we are going to prepare now that the widow has just returned; all arrangements will start with the family. We just returned from Abuja and we are taking her to her husband’s home and from there the family, the Ojukwu’s will take over.
“Now she is here, burial arrangements will be concretized and from there, committees will be set up and proper details will be announced by the family.
“The corpse will return sometime towards the end of January because when the remains come into Nigeria, the funeral rites will commence; a detailed programme will be produced by the family in conjunction with the governments of the old Eastern region.
Wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs. M. Obi and Speaker of the House of Assembly Chinwe Nawaobili, were among prominent persons that received her at the airport.-sun
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