Alex Ekwueme’s burial rites begin

The burial committee set up to plan a state burial for late Dr. Alex Ekwueme says the former Vice President will be buried on February 2.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
Mustapha, who is the chairman of the committee, was represented by Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, who is also a member of the committee.
The committee was inaugurated on December 15, 2017.
The programme will start from January 19 and end on February 11, 2018.
The SGF described the first elected vice president of Nigeria as an accomplished Architect, Town planner, Philanthropist and politician.
Mustapha noted that the death of Ekwueme was a painful loss to his family and the nation at large, while announcing the details of the ceremony as follows:
On January 19 at 2pm, there will be a Memorial Service at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, while at 5pm, there will be the Evening of Tributes and Music at Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.
On January 27 at 2pm, there will be a Memorial Service at St Marylebone Parish Church, London.
On January 28 at 6pm, there will be a Service of Songs and evening of tributes at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
On January 29 at 12pm, there will be a Parade of Honour at the Presidential wing, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after which body departs immediately to Enugu and will be received by South East governors at the airport.
On January 30 at 4pm, there will be a Service of Songs at Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu.
On January 31 at 10am, there will be South East commendation service at Okpara Square, Enugu.
On February 1 at 10am, body departs for Awka at 12pm.
There will be Anambra State Commendation Service at Ekwueme Square, Awka.
Also at 4pm, body departs for Oko, Ekwueme’s home town, and at 5pm, there will be service of songs at his residence.
On February 2 at 8am, there will be lying-in-state at his residence and 11am will be the funeral service at St. John the Divine Church, Oko, followed by interment and reception.
On February 11 at 9am, there will be an outing service at the St John the Divine Church, Oko.
The SGF called on all professional groups and individuals whose lives and interests were impacted on by the departed statesman to be part of the burial ceremonies to pay him their last respect.