The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has nominated former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo to head the National Burial Committee for the interment of late Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State.
Performing the formal inauguration of the committee in Abuja, Kalu charged the Nwodo-led committee to give its best to ensure a befitting farewell for late Ezeife, and assured that members of the National Assembly stand solidly behind it.
“You have sons in the National Assembly, and we the members of the National Assembly have said that when you make your budget, give us our share for contribution. We are going to solidly stand behind this committee, so please give it your best. Whenever you need us, we are available, we will not abandoned you,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker, who is the highest ranking political leader from the South Eastern region, noted that late Ezeife was a man of peace, who did not believe in violence or using social vices to fight injustice.
He called on Igbo people to unite and move the South East region forward just like late Ezeife was doing before his death.
He noted that those using violence to disrupt the development of the Eastern region should desist from it, by embracing the Igbo spirit of oneness, which remained a major legacy of late Ezeife.
According to him: “Ezeife was a great man who sacrificed for the Igbo tribe. He believed in a South East of peace and unity, he did not stand for the killing and destruction some people are carrying out in the region.
“He also believed in dialogue and the spirit of oneness ,so we will use his burial to tell Nigerians that Igbo people are united.”
Ealier, Secretary/Head of Secretariat of the National Burial Committee (NBC), Chief Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, while making the presentation of membership composition of the committee, disclosed that it consists of former governors, legislators, captains of industries, and elder statesmen of varying social-cultural groups, faith based organisations, political parties, and civil society groups drawn from different parts of the country.
Okwenna noted that late Ezeife was a man of peace, who cohabited with people from different regions, parties, religions and tribes.
“As you can see today, the life he lived is reflected in the calibre of people in the committee .We have people from different parties and so many friends and family, because he was a man given to brotherhood and love.”
Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, stated that the committee would give Ezeife the kind of burial he deserved.
Nwodo said the committee would make a statement with Ezeife’s burial to portray the spirit of oneness among Igbo people.
“We are determined, we have the vision and we know that the statement we want to make would be achieved and you will all be proud to be Igbo people,” Nwodo stated
He therefore assured of the committee’s commitment to make the burial a success by delivering quality service.