The funeral rites for former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme will begin in Lagos today (Friday).
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who chairs the National Burial Committee, announced this during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Mustapha, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige, spoke with journalists at the end of the last meeting of the burial committee.
He said the about one month-long burial programme would start on Friday with a memorial service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos at 2pm and an evening of tribute and music beginning at 5pm.
According to him activities will also hold in London, Abuja, Enugu and Awka, culminating in the funeral service at the St. John the Divine Church, Oko, Anambra State on February 2.
The outing service, which would be the last item in the programme, would hold in the same church on February 11, he said.
Other programmes for the burial include a memorial service to be held at the St. Marylebone Parish Church, London, W1 on Saturday; another evening of tribute scheduled to hold on January 28 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja; and a parade of honour on January 29 at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Thereafter, his body will be taken to Enugu and received by the South-East governors at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
And onn January 30, there will be a service of songs at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu; while the South-East zone commendation ceremonies will hold at Okpara Square on January 31.
On February 1, the body will depart for Awka for the Anambra State commendation service at the Ekwueme Square.
The body will later in the day depart for Oko, where another service of songs is scheduled to hold.
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