 |
Prof. Chinua Achebe |
By: Festus Owete
President Jonathan will lead a Nigerian delegation to the
burial ceremony of the late acclaimed author, which begins on May 19.
South African clergyman and Nobel Prize winner, Desmond
Tutu, has been named chairman of the international arm of the Chinua Achebe
Burial Committee.
On his part, President Goodluck Jonathan will lead a top
Nigerian delegation to the burial ceremony of the late acclaimed author, which
begins on May 19.
Mr. Achebe, author of the famous Things Fall Apart, died
last month in the United States.
Uzodimma Nwala, a professor and chairman of the committee,
who announced this in Abuja on Thursday, said Mr. Tutu will work with his
committee throughout the duration of the ceremony.
Mr. Nwala was accompanied to the press conference by the
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Chris Ngige, a senator; Charles
Iloegbune; Simeon Okeke and some members of the Achebe family.
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu will coordinate the international
community for the burial. There will be Christian and Muslim funeral prayer sessions
for the late illustrious son of Nigeria,” Mr. Nwala said.
He added said that international prayer sessions will be
organised for Mr. Achebe in Europe, USA and Asia, while the Association of
Nigerian Authors (ANA) will hold a special symposium in Mr. Achebe’s honour.
“On May 21st, Achebe’s remains will arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja en route Enugu where the South East Governors
Forum and prominent Igbo sons and daughters along with their friends will pay
their last respect,” he said.
Mr Achebe’s remains, Mr. Nwala stated, will also be taken to
the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus where academics from all over
the world will pay their last respect to the late author.
Mr. Nwala also said that on May 22, there will be a carnival
at Alex Ekwueme Stadium, Awka, Anambra State, to celebrate Mr. Achebe before
his remains will be taken to his home town, Ogidi for interment.
No comments:
Post a Comment