Ojukwu’s Burial: Rivers Plans Public Lecture

As part of plans to pay last respect to the Late Ikemba of Nnewi and former Military Governor of defunct Eastern region of  Nigeria, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Rivers State Government is billed to hold a public lecture in his honour tomorrow  in Port Harcourt.

The plan was made public by Governor Chibuike Amaechi who spoke through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Worgu Boms in a chat with newsmen yesterday, at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Governor Amaechi who is also a member of the Justice Chuwudifu Oputa-led Central Burial Committee set up  to organise the final obsequies of the late Ibo leader, noted that the lecture forms part of the inter-state activities to honour the late military governor.

Governor Amaechi remarked that” Chief Ojukwu was iconic and iconoclastic leader and was a man of high humility saying no wonder they called him the Dike-diaoranma of Ibo land”.

He said that, the lecture which would be attended by the governors of states in the former Eastern Region comprising Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Enugu and Bayelsa, will be held at the auditorium of the State House of Assembly with the theme,” Eastern Region: Reminiscences.”

Governor Amaechi noted that,” this state was an integral part of that region and we are carrying on in a manner a state carries on when a former governor dies”.

The programme would be chaired by former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, while former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh and former Nigeria Bar Association President, Chief O. C. J Okocha are expected to present lead papers.

Rt. Hon. Amaechi  enjoined all Rivers people and well wishers to attend the programme, as Chief Ojukwu would be finally laid to rest in his home State, Anambra  on the 1st of March, 2012.