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Government officials, family and friends gathered at the Michael Opara Square, in the Independent Layout, Enugu to hold a commendation service in honour of the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.

The week-long event which entered the third day had top government officials, family, friends and associates of the late elder statesman paying their tributes, and describing him as an irreplaceable gentleman of truth and honour.

Present at the event are the governors of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Imo State Deputy, Eze Madumere, Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu,  former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Charles Soludo, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, amongst other top dignitaries.
Dr Ekwueme’s remains arrived Enugu on Tuesday for the south-east commendations ceremony which was held in Enugu, before departing to his hometown in Oko Anambra state where he will be laid to rest on February 2, 2018.

He died on November 19, 2017, at a London hospital after he was reported to have suffered a chest infection which left him in a coma in a hospital for two weeks.
Born October 21, 1932,  Ekwueme started his career as an architect after earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture and city planning, as an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship, from the University of  Washington in the United States.
He later obtained a master’s degree in urban planning and also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London.
He also obtained a PhD in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School.
In 1979, Ekwueme became Nigeria’s first Vice President, serving as deputy to Shehu Shagari, until 1983 when they were ousted in a coup.
Over the years, he has played several roles domestically and internationally, cementing his status as a statesman.

Ahead of the burial of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme on Friday, rehabilitation works have intensified at three major locations in Oko, his home town. Newsmen recall that Ekwueme died in a London hospital on Nov. 19, aged 85. A correspondent of NAN visited Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra on Wednesday, to assess preparations for the burial of the late elder statesman. Alex Ekwueme Late Alex Ekwueme He reports that workers were engaged in diverse activities at Ekwueme’s compound, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Oko, venue for the funeral service, and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where visitors will be entertained. At his compound in Ezioko village, workers were seen re-painting buildings and fence, setting up tents and decorating the premises in national colours. Tilers were also seen working at the tomb site located in front of his house. Speaking with newsmen, Mr Ogochukwu Ekwueme, the seventh son of the deceased, said that the family was working under intense pressure to put everything in place before Friday. “We have less than 72 hours to the Friday burial of my father and we are battling to put everything in place. “As you can see, work is in progress in and around our compound. “Those mounting tents where our visitors will sit are working; the tilers at the tomb side are also working while decorations and re-painting are all in progress. “In the church, we have more than 20 men re-painting the church and people doing other works. “We have provided electricity for them to even work at night to make sure they have everything in place before Feb. 2, 2018.’’ Ogochukwu further said that the Ekwueme family was happy with the role of the Federal and Anambra State Governments to give a befitting burial to the late elder statesman. Reacting to the ongoing work at the church, the Archdeacon in-charge, Ven. (Dr) David Okparaononuju, told newsmenthat he was pleased with the repainting of the church ahead of Ekwueme’s burial. Okparaononuju said that the ongoing work being undertaken by an indigene of the community and the state government, was a good gesture to the church and “we will remain grateful to them.’’ However, he said that the church was in pain because “our benefactor is no more.’’ Newsmen further report the presence of security personnel guarding the three locations as workers intensify efforts to meet set deadlines. Meanwhile, the Amawbia, Agulu/Nanka/Oko road which links Awka to also undergoing rehabilitation to enable motorists attending the burial to have a smooth ride to Oko.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/rehabilitation-works-intensify-ahead-ekwuemes-burial/