Ojukwu: Imo declares Monday work-free day

The Imo State government has said that it would not declare Monday, the day the body of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Dim Chukwuemeka Odemegwu Ojukwu, will arrive at the state a public holiday, rather it would allow workers to observe it as work free day to enable them pay their last respect to the late Igbo leader.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, a member of the Local Organising Committee for the burial of the late Ojukwu, Hon. Ikenna Emeh, said that markets would be closed on Monday to welcome the body, which is expected to arrive the state from Abuja.

Emeh said the body would lie in state at the Heroes Square where an inter denominational service would be held for him.

According to him, logistics that would enable the press to cover the event had been put in place. He said as part of effort to honour the late Ikemba Nnewi, the state government would commission the Ikemba Ojukwu Research Centre to champion the rebirth of Igbo culture and nationalism.

Meanwhile, an official release today on the Imo state government website reads:

As part of the activities to mark the burial ceremony of the late Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu, the people of Imo State will on Monday 27th February 2012, gather at the Heroes Square, new Owerri where they will pay the last tribute to the fallen hero.

(Updated 24/02/2012): Imo rolls out 7-day burial programme for Ojukwu

The Imo State government has rolled out a seven day burial programme for the late Biafran warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Ben Uwajumogu, who is also chairman of the local organizing committee for the burial, told newsmen that activities have been lined up to honour a man, who he described as a hero.

He said Imo State will immortalize Ojukwu for his sacrifice for Igbos and the state in particular.

Uwajumogu added that on the 7th day, the state government would declare a public holiday just as markets would be shut down to give Imo people an opportunity to pay their last respect to Ojukwu.

It will be recalled that the late Ikemba Nnewi's body is expected back in Abuja on Monday the 27th of February en route to the South eastern states of the country, which includes Imo state.

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