South East Govs agree to give Achebe befitting burial

Governors of the South East of Nigeria on Sunday in Enugu agreed to give the renowned author, late Prof. Chinua Achebe, a befitting burial.

The Chairman of the forum, Mr Peter Obi, made this known to newsmen at the end of the governors' meeting.

He said the governors and some elder statesmen from the zone deliberated on how to give the late writer the honour he deserved.

Obi, who is also the governor of Anambra, explained that the honour would also include ensuring that every Igbo stakeholder attended the burial.

He said that the forum also discussed how to look into the problems ravaging the Ohaneze Ndidgbo. 'We received the report of the committee set up by the governor's forum to look into the problem in Ohaneze and then be able to come out with our position.

'We discussed Achebe's burial and how we as a people will give him a befitting burial and ensure that Igbos attend.  We also discussed the security and the general improvement of infrastructure in the South East,'' Obi said.

The meeting was attended by Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu; Sen. Uche Chukwumerije and a former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Amb. Ralph Uwechue.

Others are Gov. Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, Gov.Theodore Orji of Abia, religious leaders and traditional rulers. (NAN)