From OSIBEROHA OSIBE, Awka
The President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, his vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Dogara are among top government dignitaries expected to grace the funeral of the late Ozo Akunnia Pius Okonkwo Ngige, the father of one-time governor of the State and current Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.
It was authoritatively gathered that Buhari, a moslem, is to attend the funeral on Saturday, January 23, this year.
It would be the first time President Buhari will personally visit Anambra State since assumption of office on May 29, 2015.
The burial ceremony which begins on Friday January 22 this week will attract Vice President, the governors across the states, ministers, members of the National and State Assemblies and other top government functionaries, political class, traditional rulers, religious and traditional leaders as well as captains of industry.
However, briefing newsmen on the issue at his country-home Alor, Idemili South local government area over the weekend, Senator Ngige disclosed that the federal government delegation to the event ceremony would be led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, while governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano would be the major host.
Senator Ngige while reflecting on the life and times of his late father noted that though his deceased father was not a politician, he supported good governance and did everything possible to encourage those who served the society well.
He said: “My father admired the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo because of his free education policy. When I was governor, he supported all my political battles because of his belief that a coward dies before his death. He was my friend because we did things together and though he was not highly educated, he ensured that all his children acquired western education.
“He gave scholarship and bursary to the needy to enable them acquire education. To us his children, he was like some volumes in which lessons were learnt. In fact, there was no day I would encounter him without learning a new lesson and he was a great fighter for the defenseless and the down trodden, without asking for compensation. ”
Already renovation work on the site slated for landing of the Presidential air crafts and car parks in Alor were being rounded up at the weekend while various committees set up to ensure a hitch-free ceremony have turned in their progress reports.
The late Pa Ngige who until his death is the former head of Umu Ngige clan of Alor town breathed his last on Friday, September 4th at the ripe age of 105.
