The burial rites of Nigeria’s literary icon, Chinua Achebe, will begin properly with the arrival of his body at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday morning.

The rites will climax with his interment on Thursday, in his hometown, Ogidi, Anambra state. PREMIUM TIMES will provide updates on the burial as the events unfold.

Gov Peter Obi is personally overseeing the conveyance of the corpse. A source just informed us that he was responsible for chattering the Overland Airline that is conveying the corpse.

Mr. Obi made arrangements for the flight at the Airport.

Follow live blogging here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135210-chinua-achebe-burial-live-blog.html



Burial Arrangements

BURIAL PROGRAMME OF PROFESSOR CHINUALUMOGU ACHEBE


DAY 1
May 19th Sunday DAY OF PRAYERS AND RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. 3.00pm. National Christian Center, Abuja.It shall also hold at other Centres throughout Nigeria and beyond.

DAY 2
ANA SYMPOSIUM Association of Nigerian Authors’ Symposium on the life and times of Professor Chinualumogu Achebe DAY OF TRIBUTES.Tributes from National and International leaders, writers and associates of Professor Achebe from all over the World. Arrangements will be made for those who are not present to relay their tributes via live telecast. 10.00am – 1.00pm.International Conference Centre, Abuja 5.00pm – 8.00pm.International Conference Centre, Abuja

BODY ARRIVES NIGERIA. Airport Reception.Body will be received upon arrival by a delegation of Nigerian Leaders. Diplomatic and Cultural representatives from African Nations shall be in attendance to pay their respects.Cultural troupes from different parts of the African continent shall perform at the airport reception.

Reception in the Federal Capital

Body departs for Enugu


DAY 3.
Enugu Airport Reception.
The body shall be received at the Enugu airport by the South Eastern Governors under the chairmanship of H.E. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State/Ohanaeze leadership/Traditional Rulers.


Academic Procession and Ceremony
The University of Nigeria and sister Universities in the region and beyond, will participate in an academic procession and ceremony at the Enugu campus, where a short and solemn ceremony will be conducted.


Ohanaeze Night of Mourning and Ikoro Salute.

Enugu Airport Reception.

The body shall be received at the Enugu airport by the South Eastern Governors under the chairmanship of H.E. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State/Ohanaeze leadership/Traditional Rulers.


DAY 4.
Body departs for Anambra State and is received at the boundary of Enugu and Anambra States by the Governor of Anambra State and other leaders.CELEBRATION OF LIFE CARNIVALA carnival of African culture shall be on display to celebrate the life and works of Chinua Achebe

All State Governors and Federal Ministers will participate.

The body departs Awka and will be received at Ogidi by members of the family, the President General of Ogidi Town Union, Ogidi Regent in Council and the Elders of Ogidi.

Body will then proceed and be received at the Idemmili Local Government Headquarters.

Body will proceed and be received at the Ogidi Town Hall.

Body will then proceed to Achebe’s compound for Christian Service of Songs.

Literary Obsequies and wake-keep by the Association of Nigerian Authors till dawn.


DAY 5
BURIAL SERVICE AND INTERMENT
Body will lie in state in his residence. Family groups will undertake a procession.Body departs to the church for a traditional Anglican Burial Service

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other Heads of State, State Governors, Diplomats and International Literary dignitaries will be in attendance.

Body moves back to the Family residence after the Church service for interment.

The family begins to receive condolence visits from guests.



DAY 6
May 24th Friday
IKWA OZU MUSLIM JU’MAT SERVICE. Nigerians offer prayers. Achebe’s Family Compound.Central Mosque Abuja.

DAY 7
May 25th Saturday IKWA OZU CONTINUES Achebe’s Family Compound.

DAY 8th
May 26thSunday CHRISTIAN OUTING SERVICE/THANKSGIVING St Phillips Anglican Church, Ogidi.

On my way to Nnewi from where I would go to Ogidi on friday.

K, am following

As U Can See We re all Very verY AlryT

They cancel my flight ticket due to weather... not going

We re on our way from abeokuta. Owanbe party na. Those guys Wud be in their shops selling. We must pay our homage from.

akd jr: They cancel my flight ticket due to weather... not going

Clean your Mouth

R.i.P D GREAT MAN...TINS HAS REALLY FALLING APART AS U ONCE WRITE....I WIL B DIA 2 PAY U MA LAST RESPECT

Overland ready for the trip to Enugu. The few elites present at the airport appear not happy about the turn of events.


The corpse is right now being loaded into an Overland Airland Jet, en route Enugu.


Part of today’s programme was that the body will be taken to the Nationaal Assembly for a reception there. But it appers that plan has been shelved. We are unable to confirm the reason for that at the moment.

“What I miss most about our father is the Daddy role he plays. To me he is not a celebrity or anything that other people see. He took charge of the family by ensuring that we have the best of morals. No matter how busy he is, he always make out time for us to know what we are doing or not doing and to also make sure we are always on track.
That is what we are really missing” – Chidi Chike Achebe

rest in peace.......ugo belle na enu oji.

on my way to akanu ibaim intenational airport Enugu,from thr nah ahead to ogidi live.farewell eagle on the iroko:

Peter Obi should just resign and become an event planner. That is where his talent is. Governor of one of the most important states of Nigeria becoming event planner. Chei, we don suffer!

Akata dike fulu tinye isi na ofia – Culture on display at the Airport reception.


Tribute by chairman Ogidi union Abuja

Engr G C ibegbu – “onye anu a bu ofu afa o na bu akpo uwa niile anu ya. M n’asi prof. Achebe ‘ Ugo belu n’oji’ ya naa n’udo”


Also attending the airport reception are



Service of Songs at the airport is over. An Igbo traditional dance group is performing outside the venue while guests take a light refreshment, getting ready to head for the National Assembly, in the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, Achebe’s body has been laid back in the conveying car



Achebe’s body arrives Abuja

Brief service ongoing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

rip

Oh! RIP in Peace...You Were indeed a dogged fighter for fairness,dedicated social critics ans accomplished literary Icon!!!

Ugbolo nabo ka ekwe na akpo dike,okpoo ya na ndu okpoo ya na onwu....Abado nwoke aja izuzu nine ozulu anaa. Nya dibakeneli!

Nwoke di o ra nma
Odogwu tozuru e to zu
Ka o di ba

RIP Chinua Achebe

As though his parents knew,they called him Chinualumogu
Let my God fight for me
If a man says yes,his Chi will also say yes and in Chinua's case both Chinua and his chi said yes simultaneously
NdiIgbo si na ahu nwoke ahu ogologo imi ya
A man must be recognized by the attributes of manhood
Chinua was seen and was heard clearly
Odenigbo!!!
Onye m ji eme onu
A soft spoken man whose voice thundered and still does
Laa n'udo

In the Chronicles of Igbos,,you were a trailblazer,you are irreplaceable and will ever occupy an enviable position
In Nigerian history your marks are indelible for generations to come
In African influence,the world named you number one
Millions of students all over the world will never forget you
Amongst your fellows you were highly lifted up till they named you the oga patapata of African literature
You answered your calling to pick up a pen and you did it and did it well,onu mee Ndi iro shut up
What better legacy for a man to leave for his children

Umu Achebe na mama,Ndi umu nne ,Ndi ikwu na ibe ,ha na Ndi Ogidi na Igbo n'ile ,ndo nu
Ka Chukwu Kasie unu obi Kasie kwa anyi

Nashville: Peter Obi should just resign and become an event planner. That is where his talent is. Governor of one of the most important states of Nigeria becoming event planner. Chei, we don suffer!

BAA N'UNO NWOKEM!

Nashville: Peter Obi should just resign and become an event planner.

Mechie onu gi!
Ezi ofia

May he rip.

With all these rites""he must not miss heaven's gate ooo.RIP SIR

Jee nke oma!

Akataka muo ka ibe ya ogo!

Gaa gaa n' ogwu!

Anu kporo nko n' eju onu!

Oke nkita ji isi anya oku!

Okpokuru-ozopia!

Ajo anu a fulu uba okpa ya n' nkume!

Anu a na achu ama okwa!

Anu a na agba egbe o na ata chewing gum!

We will miss you badly.

Rest In Peace! Nigeria lost an icon in Achebe.