A 33-member committee of respected Nigerian leaders has been constituted to plan the burial of a foremost statesman, nationalist and one of the last remaining fathers of Nigerian Independence, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor).
The committee, which was put in place by the Amechi’s family, in consultation with his associates and other stakeholders, has Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Hon. CID Maduabum as chairman and secretary respectively.
The committee is saddled with the responsibility of planning a befitting burial for Chief Amechi, scheduled for 16th February 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State.
Chief Amechi was a former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic.
A statement yesterday by Tagbo I. Amechi (Ezeana Onodugo) on behalf of the family, reads, “Following the transition of the foremost statesman, nationalist and one of the last remaining fathers of Nigerian Independence, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic on 1st November 2022, the family, in consultation with his associates and other stakeholders wish to announce the setting up of a Committee of Distinguished and Respected Nigerian Leaders to plan a befitting burial for this great Nigerian Patriot scheduled for 16th February 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“This Committee of Eminent Persons, under the Chairmanship of Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, consists of; Alh. Tanko Yakasai; Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Chief Simon N. Okeke, Sen. Dr. Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
Others include; Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Arc. Obong Victor Attah, Sen. Dr. Sam Egwu, Chief Achike Udenwa, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Sen. Theodore Orji, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Iyom Josephine Anenih, and
Ambassador Chief Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The rest are; Prof. Maurice Iwu, former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, Chief Innocent Chukwuma,
Chief Okey Ezenwa, Hon. (Dr). Prince Ned Nwoko, Prof. Fred Eze, Prince Emeka Udodeme and Chief Uwakwe Azikiwe.
The committee, according to the statement, will make further details in due course. “We thank the eminent persons, who despite their tight schedules, have agreed to do this as a mark of respect to a great son of Nigeria,” the statement said.
