The late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanual Iwuanyanwu, is to be buried on November 1.
The national burial committee announced this in Abuja shortly after its inauguration by Governor Hope Uzodinma.
The inauguration held on Tuesday in Abuja had South-East stakeholders including serving and no-serving senators, as members.
Mr Iwuanyanwu, a businessman, politician and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to various sectors of the country, died on July 25.
Briefing journalists after the committee’s constitution, Uzodinma, also the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, said the committee was set up to give the late President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo a befitting burial.
“The national committee for the burial of our great leader, Iwuanyanwu, the immediate past President-General of Ndigbo, has been constituted. The whole idea is to give him a very befitting burial that his status deserves,” he said.
Also speaking, the chairman of the committee, Ben Obi, announced that the late Iwuanyanwu would be buried on November 1. He described the late Ndigbo leader as a global citizen, adding that in every aspect of human endeavours, the late Iwuanyanwu excelled.
“The sacrifices he committed to the Igbo nation is something that is admirable by all of us, and it is our decision as a people in collaboration with other associations like Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum to make sure that we give him a befitting burial.
“We are grateful that Uzodinma has made it available for us to meet. They have agreed with the Primate of Anglican Church that he will be buried on November 1. We will ensure a befitting burial,” Mr Obi said.
He appreciated the support of the Imo governor and other governors in the South-East, saying, “They have given us confidence that this committee will be given all the necessary support.”
(NAN)