Guardian

• Achebe Will Not Be Laid To Rest At Night

REALITY is beginning to dawn on the people, especially friends, professional contemporaries and the Ogidi age-grade leaders and the rest of the community, that in truth, the mighty had fallen.

The country home of the late literary icon, novelist and essayist, Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe, who died at 82 in one of the Boston State’s hospitals, United States of America, is buzzing with activities and the pleasant din in town is building up as the countdown to the burial, Thursday, races in the minds of the people.

Preparation of the burial is in place at various levels but the sure sign is the finishing touches being given to the final resting place located in the late writer’s compound.

But while many say the world at large and Ogidi community are fully prepared to receive the remains of late literary giant in Nigeria, others believe the preparation, especially that orchestrated by the both state and federal government is not good enough for a man in the calibre of Achebe.

The third set of people, mainly Ogidi indigenes are excited and in high spirit that Achebe has brought fame to Ogidi and positioned it in the world, as they, likewise, recall prominent men in Ogidi, who are making the town proud such as Nollywood stars, Bob Manuel Udokwu, face of Ultimate Search and Obi Madubuogwu, the face of ‘The King of Mosanga.’

Also, against the misconception that filtered through that Achebe will be laid-in-state and buried at night, the elite of Ogidi community dismissed such report as misleading, saying that Achebe was a Christian and will be buried by the Bishop of Anglican Communion in the Christian way.

Meanwhile, during The Guardian’s visit to Achebe’s country home, it was discovered that work was in progress in the compound, all in readiness to receive the body. One of the labourers said the pace of work has been the same since they started to ensure that the place is ready before the arrival of Achebe’s remains.

Painting and rehabilitation continued at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi, the first ever Anglican church within the local government and its environs, where the funeral service would be conducted in honour of late Achebe. The church is now wearing a new look as the government has deployed a number of workers to ensure the neatness of the Church.

At SMC Central School, now known as, Akpakaogwe Central School, where the late icon had his primary school education, similar thing is happening, including grading  of a feeder road (IloNgwodo-Akpaogwe), connecting Achebe’s compound to the church. This is the road the President and his Ghanaian and Kenyan counterparts are expected to pass enroute the church.

But the major and the most important feature in this preparation is the Achebe’s mausoleum, where his remains will be lowered, for ultimate rest. Though the mausoleum, which houses his grave, is still under construction, the contractors assured that it would be ready for use on or before May 22, a day before his burial.

Situated on the left side of the compound, immediately after the entrance gate, the mausoleum will be as high as a conventional storey building upon completion; and serves both as a tomb as well as a chamber (Obi). But it’s not clear if the body would be open for public view and as tourist interest thereafter.

According to the Secretary General of Government Age Grade, which Achebe belonged, Mr. Goddy Agbogu, the Age grade is fully ready and prepared to receive the remains of Achebe, which had made the community, Anambra and Nigeria proud.

“Though we are not strong enough to do the things we would have done for him, but we will get gong beaters, who will play the kind of music that we can dance with three legs, not the type the younger generation is good at. On that day, we will move into the circle of people (Ogbo) and proceed to his bed where he is laid-in-state,” he added.

Moreover, Ogidi community, after yesterday meeting, held that they would give support to everything that would ensure that the burial went in the original plan of action of giving him a befitting burial. They will also be deploying vigilante groups to beef of security to ensure orderliness during and after the event.

The immediate past National President of Ikenga Ogidi Union Nigeria, Dr. Emma Obianagha said the community had concluded arrangements to receive Achebe’s remains and accord him all the necessary respect befitting a man of his calibre.

Also, there was a major rehabilitation at the Ogidi Town Hall, Umuru, Ogidi, where the body of late Professor would lie-in-state on stepping into Ogidi soil. Being one time President General, Ogidi Union Nigeria, all necessary privileges and respect would be accorded him.

ON the other hand, despite these laudable preparations, it was discovered that some part of the environs have not been given desired attention. For instance, the heaps of garbage deposited nearly opposite Achebe’s compound have not been given cleared as at Friday by the government agency in charge.

It was also observed that the drainage system within that axis is filled with sand and other rubbish, which will make nonsense of that environment, in an event it rains before or during burial. Also, a broken concrete slab, which covers a particular canal at Ilongwodo market square, was sighted by The Guardian being filled up with red sand by RCC, a popular construction instead building another slab.

“As community members, we have done ours and let the government do theirs. The government may have tried in one way or the other but let the ANSEPA, or the contracted firm, LAGA come and clear the refuse as we prepare to receive the remains of Achebe,” said Ifeanyi Mbeledeogu.

Also, the road, which is expected that the three African Presidents and other dignitaries would pass through, is being graded with laterite, which many fear will make that route impassable by motorists and even pedestrians on event of rain. The appeal is to the governor to pour white sand over the red soil on the road if he would not tar it.

According Paul Okoye, an engineer, red sand is not the best for road construction in the rainy season, and not suitable at all for a road that experiences foot traffic. “Let’s pray it does not rain, if not, there will be serious trouble conveying Achebe’s body to the Church. The road is not long. This will cost the State government fortune to tar. We appeal to Obi, to tar this road in memory of Achebe,” He said.

The Headmistress of CMS Central School, where Achebe attended his primary school, Mrs. Ngozi Oraka said the school has prepared a song for the late hero, at least, having been raised in her school, though nobody factored them into the burial programme.

Following the size of the compound and presence of presidents, the overflow from his compound might lead to mounting of roadblock at the roundabout by the police to prevent motorists and other road-users from making use of Ugwu Nwasike-Abatete road, which runs in front of Achebe’s house.

Also, at the Achebe’s library situated at the Idemili North Local Government, headquarters, Ogidi, there is no preparation made in that area, although Association of Nigerian Authors once donated books to the library but the state of the library does not depict the style and status of the late Ivory tower stalwart.

HOWEVER, the National Transition Committee in charge of Achebe’s burial said the event would be a week-long event. Burial Coordinator, Professor Uzodinma Nwala noted that the funeral rites will commence today with prayers and religious worship at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, which will be done simultaneously in other centres within and outside the country.

Nwala noted that there will also be a symposium on tomorrow organised by ANA, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja with a number of tributes and cultural troupes drawn from different parts of the country at the same venue.

On Tuesday, May 21, the body leaves USA for Nigeria, where there would be an airport reception as his body arrives Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The body is expected to be taken to the National Assembly for a reception and thereafter, departs for Enugu, where Obi-led southeast governors will receive it.

His body is also expected to proceed to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), for academic procession and ceremony, followed by ‘Ohanaeze Night of Mourning and Ikoro Salute’ in honour of late Achebe at Ohanaeze secretariat in Enugu.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, the remains of the fallen hero will leave Enugu for Awka in Anambra State, for commencement of a ‘Celebration of Life’ ceremony in which all state governors and federal ministers are expected to participate at the Alex Ekwueme Stadium.

From the stadium, the body will leave for Ogidi, his hometown and observe a stopover at Ogidi Town Hall before proceeding to his compound. The funeral continues with interment on May 23, after a church service at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi, where President Jonathan, state governors, diplomats and international literary dignitaries among others will grace the occasion.

Friday, May 24 Ikwa-Ozu continues. In-laws, friends and associates are expected to come and show their last respect for this illustrious son of Ogidi. At the same time, a Jumat service will be held at the Abuja Central Mosque for the Muslim faithful, who join Nigerians to pray for the repose of the soul of late Achebe.

Ikwa-Ozu continues on Saturday, May 25 with an outing service at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, on Sunday, May 26, which marks the end of the ceremony. There will also be several artistic and cultural displays to show that Achebe is not only an international figure but also, a man in love with the culture and tradition of his people.