The arrangements and programme of activities for the final burial of the late former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, have been slated to begin in Awka, the state capital, on Friday.

Ezeife, popularly called ‘Okwadike’, was Anambra State governor from January 2, 1992, to November 1993, during the aborted Third Republic.

He died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on December 14, 2023, at the age of 85.

According to a burial poster signed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, the deceased would be given a state burial, with the obsequies commencing with some pre-burial events.

The events, some of which had already been held, included a service of songs at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja (slated for April 12, at 5 pm); a celebration of life and times of

‘Okwadike’ at the Eagle Square, Abuja (slated for April 13, at 10. am); and the National Night of Tributes at Thisday Dome, Abuja, (slated for April 15, at 5. pm).

These will be followed by state burial events, which include state commendation and thanksgiving service at the International Conference Centre, Awka (slated for Friday, April 19, at 10. am) with tributes commencing immediately after service.

Service of Songs will be held at his country home, Igboukwu in Aguata LGA, by the Salvation Army Church (slated for Friday, April 19, at 5. pm).

A burial service at the deceased’s residence, in Igboukwu, will be held on Saturday, April 20, at 10. am, with interment and condolence visits immediately after the service.

A thanksgiving service will conclude the ceremonies at the Salvation Army Church, Igboukwu, on Sunday 9. am).

The commissioner further announced that all guests at the commendation and thanksgiving service on Friday should be seated by 10 am.

“Everybody is expected to be seated by 10.am when the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, his deputy, the speaker, and the Chief Judge will escort the body of ‘Okwadike’ into the ICC venue of the event,” he said.

In 1999, the deceased was appointed a special adviser on political matters by ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ezeife did not attend secondary school, but taught himself through correspondence courses, qualifying for university admission.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan and his Master’s degree and doctorate from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States in 1972.

He served as a school headmaster and later a lecturer at Makarare University College, Kampala, Uganda.