Soldiers and policemen will provide security at the funeral of the late Prof. Chinua Achebe whose remains arrived in the country yesterday.
The body was first flown to Abuja from Boston, United States where he died on March 21. It was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 6am. The late author’s wife, Christie, and children, Ike, Chidi, Chinelo and Nwando; in-laws and top dignitaries were at the airport to receive his body.
The body was inside a dark brown casket covered with Nigerian flag. It was transferred from the aircraft into an Oxblood ambulance whose number plate carried the late author’s name: Chinua Achebe.
The body was taken into the reception hall of the airport in a procession led by the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Bishop Owen Nwokolo. It was accompanied by family members; Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo; former Abia State Governor Ogbonnaya Onu and former Minister of State for Education Dr. Jerry Agada.
The reception service began with hymns and prayers.
In his sermon, Rev. Nwokolo said the late Achebe was a great man of dignity and excellence.
He said: “I remember today Achebe’s legendary statement which says, ‘if a man returns from a long journey, and no one says welcome, he feels he has not arrived or nno.’ We are gathered to say nno to Achebe. He has come back, though dead but we know that his works keep him alive in our hearts. We are gathered to receive him because of what he has accomplished throughout the world.”
He said the late Achebe would be remembered for his humility, patriotism and transparency, adding that he was a man who lived an exemplary life.
Rev. Nwokolo said: “He was contented with what he had. He rejected the National Honours twice because he wanted the government to correct their corrupt system first. While others lived all their lives to corner wealth, Achebe lived an exemplary life. The world should learn from his legacies. He was wealthy but never allowed his wealth to mar his reputation.”
Obi said the late Achebe lived the life he preached in his books. Although he was the only governor at the airport to receive the late Achebe’s body, he claimed he was representing other governors.
Ike, the late Achebe’s first born, said he was astonished by the response he got from all over the world, noting that the support the family has received has been tremendous.
He said: “I want to appreciate everyone that has worked tirelessly to ensure that the transition is peaceful. I thank you all.”
The body was flown to Enugu from where it left for Anambra for other transitional activities and burial in Ogidi tomorrow.
The body arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and was received by a large crowd of people from Ogidi.
The body, which arrived at about 12.36 p.m. aboard a private aircraft, Overland Nigeria, with registration number 5N-BPE was accompanied by the late Achebe’s wife and children.
The body was received by the deceased’s elder brother, Chief Augustine Achebe, other family members, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Mr Amechi Okolo, some commissioners and different cultural troupes from Ogidi.
Anambra Police’s spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka told The Nation that all the security arrangements for the burial had been concluded.
Chukwuemeka said the police would work with other security agencies and the Army to ensure a hitch-free ceremony.
“The level of preparation is very high; everything had been done to ensure that all the dignitaries that would be coming into Anambra State are safe and protected.
“All the T’s had been crossed and all the I’s dotted, in terms of security arrangement towards the burial of Chinua Achebe. As long as they (dignitaries) want, they are safe; they should come around and pay their last respect to the departed professor. Nobody will disturb anybody; they (unruly youths in the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha) have been contained.’’
Briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze said the body of the late Achebe would be brought to the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka today.
He said: “No shop will be closed; it is a voluntary thing, but we have invited all Ndi Anambra, civil servants, traders and schools to attend Achebe’s funeral. I can tell you without any equivocation that the governors of the Southeast have been supportive in the funeral arrangements and they will be there to receive Mr. President tomorrow during the funeral.”
He said the ArchBishop of Canterbury would attend the funeral with about four other Heads of States, who would accompany President Goodluck Jonathan.
