The Anglican Church has said it will not release the body of the renowned author, Prof. Chinua Achebe, to the Ogidi community, Anambra State for burial.

Similarly, the church and family of the late professor have said that they will not allow his wife, Christy, to go through the traditional widowhood rites that women who lose their husbands in Igboland are made to undergo.

The Archdeacon of Ogidi and Vicar of St. Philip's Anglican Church, Ven. Obi Ubaka, told Saturday PUNCH that the body of Achebe belonged to the church, which shall perform the final rites for the fallen statesman on Thursday, May 23.

The church's reaction came as Chief S. Okoli, the Regent of Ogidi, Achebe's hometown, said the late author would be buried at night because he was a titled man.

Okoli had said, "As a titled man, he (Achebe) will be buried towards evening in line with our culture and tradition. His body will lie in state in the yam barn where daughters of the clan shall pay him their last respects before he will be buried in the night."

But the archdeacon said, "He (Achebe) is going to be buried immediately after the church service at 1 pm in broad daylight. It is not true that he will be buried at night.

"The church won't hand over the body to the community. Which one has the upper hand; the church or the community? The church has the upper hand in this case. He was a Christian and should be buried in a Christian way," Ubaka insisted.

Similarly, the Achebe family said the issue of when and how the late author would be buried was not a subject of dispute.

The head of the Umu Ada Achebe (the female members of the family), and niece of the late author, Mrs. Ngozi Ezedum, told Saturday PUNCH that the story that her uncle would be buried at night according to traditional rites was an unfounded speculation.

"He was from a real Christian family. And in the Achebe family, we do things the Christian way," Ezedum said.

She said the title that Achebe held did not in any way compromise his religion as a Christian. Achebe's Ozo title is Ugo Belu N'Orji (Eagle on the Iroko).

Ezedum said Achebe's wife could feel free to come home without fear that she will be made to undergo traditional widowhood rites.

"I have told my uncle's wife that I am around, nobody will do anything," the head of the Umu Ada said.

She, however, said other traditional rites like searching for Achebe and taking care of his body by the women would be performed.

She said the Anglican Church in the Niger Diocese had long abolished the widowhood rites because they were repugnant to good conscience.

Such practices include making the widow to shave her head, drink the water used to bathe her husband's corpse, sit on the floor and sleep in the same room with the corpse.

"She will not even wear any mourning clothe black or white. The Anglican Church doesn't want that anymore," Ezedum said.

Meanwhile, preparations for the burial of the late literary icon are ongoing.

His Ikenga Ogidi country home is a beehive of activities as workers, artisans and builders work round the clock to erect a mausoleum, which would serve as his final resting place and obi, the major reception in his compound.

The compound situated on the Ogidi-Abatete Road was cordoned off and only the people working on the project are allowed in.

The main house is also being given a facelift, while a new coat of paint has been added to the perimeter fence.

The entire Ikenga Ogidi community is also being given a face-lift as the Idemili North Local Government Council has been grading roads leading to the family home of the Achebes and the St. Philip Church, where the funeral service will be conducted.

The church building is also being rehabilitated, with dozens of painters, masons, tile layers, iron benders and electricians working on the new church auditorium, which has been selected to host the burial service.

The Archdeacon of the church, Ven. Obi Ubaka, said the family had provided financial assistance to finish the work on the new church building so that it would be ready to host the event.

"The Primate of the Church of Nigeria will lead the officiating ministers. He will be supported by the Archbishop of the Niger, the Most Rev. Christian Efobi, and the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo," Ubaka said.

Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who was in Ogidi to monitor the level of work on the projects, told Saturday PUNCH that President Goodluck Jonathan and two other heads of state would be present at the burial.

Oseloka denied claims by some family members that the Anambra State Government had not provided substantial financial support for the burial of the author and playwright.

Though he did not want to go into details, Obaze said, "That is categorically wrong. That impression is wrong. Anybody, who has said that is not being forthright. That is wrong," he said.

http://mobile.punchng.com/output.php?link=http://www.punchng.com/news/community-church-family-fight-over-achebes-body/

All these on a dead body!

Such practices include making
the widow to shave her head,
drink the water used to bathe
her husband's corpse, sit on
the floor and sleep in the same
room with the corpse.

Achebe deserves much more, indeed there was a Man.Jee nkeoma Chinualumogu!

Things don fall apart

It was expected however the Church will have to bury him. The family has the final say in this matter.

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Both sides should reach a consensus.

I think a man of his stature has to be buried in the church.

They should allow the dead to rest in peace biko.

Such practices include making
the widow to shave her head,
drink the water used to bathe
her husband's corpse, sit on
the floor and sleep in the same
room with the corpse.

asi asi...This one is a pure lie..

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the hero is about to go down six fits , May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace

burial is now money money in igboland God help us oooo

As long as this story is from Punch, i won't and will never believe it. Punch is one tabloid that is known for bashing anything ibo with their tribalistic false stories. Useless newspaper run by yeye bigot journalists. Mtchewwww!

The great Iroko RIP

Only d family has final say.

Is sumone tryin to hijack d burial feigning traditional rites? Later dey wil say his wealth shld go to his brothers and kinsmen. Rubbish!

I thought those widowhood rites of drinking water from the the bath of the corpse and sleeping in the same room with the dead body...are only performed to widows suspected to have a hand in the death of her husband?

First of all, the funeral rites perfomed by the widow is a big fat lie in Igboland of today!

That being said, none of these folks (family, church and community) would care if he died a nobody and his corspe was rottening away under Osha head bridge.

Knowing that little crisis like this will arise, big shots like him usually make clear how they want to be buried while alive.

"You see we, the little people of the world, are ever expendable" - Achebe.

last burial. The final burial.

I don watch this movie long time ago. the name of this movie na "Arusi Iyi and Last Burial"

Hmmm

Umu-Ada!.....a very powerful group of women in any extended family, trust me!

superior1: Things don fall apart

things don fall apart really oooooo

emma_best2000: the hero is about to go down six fits , May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace

^^^Emma, i think you meant to say 'feet'.

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Our people have to find a way to reconcile Christianity and Omenala. The white man has brought untold confusion on us as a people.

Interesting.

Naija movie

Hilaskee: I thought those widowhood rites of drinking water from the the bath of the corpse and sleeping in the same room with the dead body...are only performed to widows suspected to have a hand in the death of her husband?

That's why i say the story is sooo fake! Punch is at it again throwing punch-lines against the ibos.

Why not just give the dead to the family and stop the unneccessary ranggling. A man like that would have loved a "no show" quiet burial,comprising of family and friends.

Habbaa...dead body againnnn?! e don make church, Family members & community fall apart