Amechi, who was Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic and former parliamentarian, died on November 1, 2022.
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, are among guests scheduled to grace the ‘Day of Tribute’, which is part of the funeral of the statesman and one of the last remaining fathers of Nigerian Independence, Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor).
While former President Goodluck Jonathan is to chair the occasion billed for February 7, 2023, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja; Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, have been pencilled down as the special guests of honour.
Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi respectively are among those invited to the programme.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the ‘Day of Tribute’ in Abuja is Senator Ben Obi.
Amechi, who was Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation in the First Republic and former parliamentarian, died on November 1, 2022.
His burial is slated for February 16, 2023 at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Several state governors, ministers, party chieftains and members of the diplomatic community have already indicated their interest in attending the programme billed for noon.
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This was confirmed in the programme of the event put in place by the National Planning Committee for the funeral of Amechi, which has Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as Chairman and CID Maduabum as secretary.
Other top government functionaries, captains of industries, high-profile politicians and professionals from various walks of life are expected to grace the programme.
A similar ‘Day of Tribute’ has been scheduled to take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka, Anambra State, for the late nationalist by noon on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
Various committees have already been set up for the success of the funeral.
One such is the finance committee, which has former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as the Chairman.
Similarly, a 39-member State Organising Committee (SOC) of eminent personalities has also been constituted in Anambra State to assist the National Planning Committee in organising a befitting funeral for Amechi.
The committee has Innocent Chukuwuma as Chairman and Maja Umeh as Co-Chairman.