Alex Ekwueme: Federal Govt Inaugurates 11-Member Burial Committee

The federal government inaugurated Tuesday in Abuja, a committee of eleven members to organize the funeral of former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who died November 19 in London. In inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Boss Mustapha, secretary of the government of the federation (SGF), urged the committee to ensure that the deceased Ekwueme get a funeral worthy of the state. Mustapha, who is also the chair of the committee, said he was open to new ideas, noting however that the work plan to be used was in tandem with the previous state burial committees. He described late Ekwueme (85) as an "all-rounder" that has gained different degrees of degrees in various fields; ranging from architecture to sociology, history, philosophy and law.

“Owing to the top public office he once held in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari thought it befitting to organise a state burial for him.

“This is also in keeping with the tradition in that regard as was done to the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, former Chief of General staff that died in 201.

“Same for the late Admiral Mike Akhigbe, former Chief of General staff who died in 2013.

“The only difference now is the absence of the Nigerian Navy in the burial committee.

“The Nigerian Navy had played prominent roles in the burial activities of former chiefs of general staff, who incidentally were both at different times, Chiefs of Naval Staff,” he said.

The SGF, however, said that the Nigeria Police would effectively play some of the roles that the Nigerian Navy had played previously.

Mustapha pledged that the committee would work assiduously to ensure Ekwueme got a befitting state burial.

He said the late Ekwueme rendered valuable services and was a strong voice to ensuring unity and stability of Nigeria.

Other members of the committee are Dr Roy Ugo, Secretary of the committee, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance, Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment.

Other members are Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, Mr Ibrahim Idris, Malam Lawal Daura, Director-General, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Pastor Goodheart Obi Ekwueme and Prof. Osita Chukwulobelu.

#Africa ... spill TEA.... Easy on Shade #jaiyeorie