Prof Ben Nwabueze’s Final Journey Home Begins Thursday

The Prof Ben Nwabueze National Burial Committee, chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, announced plans for the burial of the country’s leading constitutional lawyer on Monday.

Prof Nwabueze, an extraordinary scholar, teacher, lawyer, recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, died at the age of 92 on October 29, 2023.

According to the Committee’s statement, burial activities will begin on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 2 p.m. with a Valedictory Court Session at the Lagos State High Court Premises in Ikeja. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, Lagos State’s Chief Judge, will preside over the event.

As part of the obsequies to the dead, Friday, February 23, 2024, has been scheduled as a Day of Tributes at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 2pm.

The statement went on to say that the eminent jurist’s mortal remains would be interred at his country home in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Then, Friday, March 1, 2024 has been scheduled as the day for national tributes and celebration of the impactful and very worthy life and times of Akunnia Benjamin Obiefuna Nwabueze, the Oduah Afo-na-Isagba of Atani, at Atani. The ceremony will commence at 12 noon.

,The colloquium is scheduled to commence at 11am.

Prof Nwabueze, CON, who at the time of his passing was the most senior lawyer in Nigeria with a scholarly output that included over 34 books, 100 conference keynotes, and 200 peer-reviewed and scientific articles, and probably also the most prolific and influential legal scholar out of Africa, was the Chairman of The Patriots.

The National Burial Committee said in the statement that The Patriots deliberately settled for March 18 for the colloquium to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the 2014 Nigerian National Conference, which was inaugurated on March 17, 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Prof Nwabueze advocated for restructuring until his death, believing that it was the only way to a more egalitarian and prosperous nation.

The statement which was signed by Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, Secretary of the National Burial Committee, further said: “The historic National Colloquium being organised in honour of Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, a foremost champion of the 2014 National Confab, will be chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Chairman of The Patriots.

“Expected at the various events of the obsequies announced above are delegations and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, former Presidents and Vice Presidents of Nigeria, serving and former State Governors, former and serving members of the National Assembly.

“Others include present and former members of State Houses of Assembly, envoys of Foreign Missions in Nigeria, leaders of socio-cultural and political groups, members of the Bench and the Bar, close associates and friends of the late eminent jurist.”

FULL PRESS STATEMENT...

Anyaoku, Iwuanyanwu, National Burial Committee Announce Final Obsequies For Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, CON

The National Committee For the burial of Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, co chaired by by His Excellency, Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON, CFR and Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, CFR, President-General of the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo has announced the final funeral rites of departed Elder Statesman, Eminent Jurist and Constitutional Icon, Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, CON, who was until his demise the Chairman of Eminent National Leaders of Nigeria popularly known as The Patriots as follows:

1. Thursday, 22nd February, 2024 – Valedictory Court Session at the State High Court Premises, Ikeja, Lagos State by the Judiciary at 2pm. To be presided over by the Chief Judge of Lagos State

2. Friday, 23rd February, 2024 – Day of Tributes in Lagos at Harbour Point Event Centre, Amadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos at 2pm.

3. Thursday, 29th February, 2024 – Family Private Burial Ceremony in Atani, Anambra State.

4. Friday, 1st March, 2024 – National Tributes and Celebration of Life in Atani, Anambra State at 12noon.

5. Monday, 18th March, 2024 – National Colloquium/Dialogue at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs NIIA, 3/5, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos is being organised by the Patriots at 11am to coincide with the the 10th Year Anniversary of the Nigerian National Confab of 2014, inaugurated on 17th March, 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The historic National Colloquium being organised in honour of Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, a foremost champion of the 2014 National Confab, will be chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON, Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Chairman of The Patriots.

Delegations and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, former Presidents and Vice Presidents of Nigeria are expected to attend the various Obsequies announced above. Various State Governors including host Governors in Lagos and Anambra States, Former Governors, Delegation and Members of the National Assembly, Former Senators and Former Members of the House of Representatives,

Others are; Present and Former Members of State Legislative Assembly, Envoys of Foreign Missions in Nigeria, Leaders of Socio-Cultural and Political Groups, Delegation and Members of the Bench and the Bar, Close Associates and Friends of the late eminent jurist.

Thank you.

Signed:
Olawale Okunniyi
Secretary,
The National Burial Committee