American Embassy thwarts citizen’s will

Our Reporter

Relations of a Nigeria-born American are now in a quandary after the American embassy in Lagos denied them visas to attend her burial.

Reverend Sister Angela Egbikuadje, a nun and doctorate degree holder,had spelt out how she should be buried  in  her will dated March 26, 2019.

In the  Will, the late Sr. Egbikuadje declared  under “Statement of Interment, Cremation and Wishes,” that, “it is my desire to be interred in a burial spot.”

She also asked that her “funeral mass will be at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and a Catholic funeral in a cemetery in Bakersfield, California.”

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All that now appears frustrated after the embassy turned down the visa applications of Mrs. Anthonia Nwosu and Mr. Emmanuel Egbikuadje, under the pretext “that you have been found ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.”

The congregation of the deceased , the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, (SIM),is  in no position to inter her remains.

A member of the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ,Dr. Franca Niameh,said: “We can only pray that the Embassy will grant you the permission you need to come and bury your sister, as the religious congregation, the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, she belongs to, does not take care of funerals.”

The Zonal Council President, Secular Institute of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, Dr. Susan Larkin had explained to the U.S. Embassy in Lagos: “We are awaiting the presence of the family to hold the funeral services and burial for Angela (Egbikuadje).”

The remains of the late nun remain in  the mortuary, unless the American Embassy reviews the decision to grant her family members entry visas to the U.S.