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Ekwueme’s remains arrives Abuja

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6 years ago

January 29, 2018

Olu Emmanuel

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As Ngigie claims FG spent N1bn on Ekwueme’s health

The body of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President of Nigeria 1979 to 1983, has arrived Abuja on Monday for onward journey to Anambra State for the burial rites on Thursday.

It was gathered that Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State, has been furnished for the funeral and wears a new look while the entire Anambra State is agog for the arrival of the remains of the Ide of Aguata, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

The preparations for Ekwueme’s final journey to the world beyond became a political campaign project for the All Progressives Congress (APC) when Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, made a claim on Sunday that President Muhammadu Buhari spent about N1 billion on Ekwueme’s medical bills.

Ngige was said to have made the claim while inspecting facilities for burial rites at Ekwueme’s hometown in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State where he maintained that Buhari is committed to giving the former vice president a befitting burial.

Ngige was said to have further claimed that road rehabilitation alone in Anambra and neighbouring communities of Imo and Abia states in preparation for Ekwueme’s burial had gulped about N480 million.

The Labour Minister assured that the Federal Government was not leaving anything to chances in ensuring that the Ekwueme family enjoys the role their late patriarch played in building a better Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State government was said to have commenced work on internal roads in Oko and its environs to tidy the neighbourhood to make it conducive for the dignitaries that will be attending the burial.

The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party matters, Chief Ben Obi, was gathered to have said that a virgin four-kilometre road had been created in the area for easy movement during the funeral.

He highlighted that parking bays had been created in about six points, where shuttles would be provided to ferry mourners to the funeral venue, while St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oko playground would serve as a helipad for the Vice President’s visit.

Already, the state government has declared Thursday as a work-free day.

In a public service announcement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, it was said that a directive has been given that all markets and businesses in the state would be closed on that day.

Dr. Ekwueme was vice president to President Shehu Shagari on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983 when the military regime headed by major General Muhammadu Buhari struck on December 31, 1983, to transplant the democratic regime.