Anambra state government has disclosed its plans to set up a committee to coordinate a state burial for late former Vice-president, Dr Alex Ekwueme, a befitting burial.
The state governor, Willie Obiano disclosed this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the former Vice-president at his country home, Ezioko village, Oko in Orumba North local government area of the state.
This is even as the Governing Council and the Management of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra state have called on the Federal Government to immortalize the octogenerian for his selfless service to the nation.
Obiano said the committee would be charged with the responsibility of planning for the state, regardless of any assistance from the federal government.
According to him, the committee would draw members from the five South eastern states and beyond in view of the personality of the deceased.
Describing the late elder statesman as a father, whom he shared very intimate relationship with, the governor said his death was a great loss to the state and the country.
The Oko polytechnic, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Obini Onuchukwu and made available to newsmen, said immortalising its founder woukd serve as a pat on the back and source of encouragement to the community.
It would be recalled that Ekwueme was the brain behind the creation of the six geo- political zones of the country and other unquantifiable ideologies that strengthened the unity and advancement of Nigeria.
The statement party read," The Management on behalf of the governing council and entire Polytechnic community expressed shock over the news of the demise of Ekwueme, who founded the Polytechnic in 1979 as College of Arts and Science.
“The news which is grievously shocking has thrown the entire polytechnic community into mourning especially when the history of the Federal polytechnic Oko can never be told without the name of the late Patriarch being mentioned.
“As a true nationalist, late Dr. Ekwueme formulated many political ideologies to advance the country. His love for his people in particular and the nation in general gave rise to what is today known as the Federal Polytechnic Oko.
“On a different note, the death is also a celebration of a rare gem because His Excellency lived a fulfilled life and laid a good foundation which we all enjoy today. He is one of the old generation elder statesmen who lived. He is a peace loving man and a man of courage and we will miss him so much.
“We will continue to pray for his loved ones he left behind that God can give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement said.
The statement further stated that Ekwueme will be remembered for his fatherly role and his efforts in attracting development to the polytechnic as well as political strength for the entire Southeast zone in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Meanwhile the Polytechnic has opened a condolence register at the institution’s administrative office as a mark of respect for the founder of the institution.
