From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki
Elder statesman and prominent Igbo leader Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has been appointed as the Chairman of a committee of eminent Nigerians who will oversee the burial of the departed foremost nationalist, Chief Mbazulike Amechi.
Chief Amechi, the first Republican Minister of Aviation, who died on 1st November 2022 will be buried on 16th February,2023 at his country home, Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government area of Anambra State.
According to a statement released by Chief Tagbo Amechi, on behalf of the Late Mbazulike Amechi’s family, other members of the committee include Tanko Yakasai, Chief Edwin Clark, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
The statement reads “following the transition of the foremost Statesman, Nationalist and one of the last remaining Fathers of Nigerian Independence, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic on 1st November 2022, the family, in consultation with his associates and other stakeholders wish to announce the setting up of a Committee of Distinguished and Respected Nigerian Leaders to plan a befitting burial for this great Nigerian Patriot scheduled for 16th February 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“This Committee of Eminent Persons, under the Chairmanship of Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, consists of the following: Alh Tanko Yakasai, OFR, Chief Edwin Clark, OFR, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr Tim Menakaya, OFR, Chief Simon N Okeke, OON, OFR, Sen Dr Adolphus Wabara, Sen Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, His Excellency, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, CON, His Excellency, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, CON, His Excellency, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, CON, His Excellency, Arc Obong Victor Attah, His Excellency, Sen Dr Sam Egwu, CON, His Excellency, Chief Achike Udenwa
Others are “His Excellency, Sen Orji Uzor Kalu, CON, Her Excellency, Dame Virgy Etiaba, CON, His Excellency, Sen Theodore Orji, CON, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, CFR, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, Ambassador Dr Mrs Kema Chikwe, Iyom Josephine Anenih, mni, SCN, Ambassador Chief Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Prof Maurice Iwu, Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, CON, Hon Prince Chibudom Nwuche, OFR, Chief Innocent Chukwuma CON, Chief Okey Ezenwa, Hon Dr Prince Ned Nwoko, Prof Fred Eze, Prince Emeka Udodeme, Chief Uwakwe Azikiwe and Hon CID Maduabum – Secretary.
“In due course, the committee will make public, further details.
“We thank the eminent persons who despite their tight schedules have agreed to do this as a mark of respect to a great son of Nigeria”