Prof Ben Nwabueze’s Final Journey Home Begins

The Professor Ben Nwabueze National Burial Committee co-chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Monday, announced activities for the burial of the foremost Constitutional Lawyer.

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

A statement by the Committee said the burial activities will commence on Thursday, February 22, 2024 with a Valedictory Court Session at the Lagos State High Court Premises, Ikeja, at 2pm. The event will be presided over by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba.

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 further detailed that the mortal remains of the eminent jurist will 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.

Thereafter, the funeral train will move back to Lagos, where the group of eminent national leaders popularly known as The Patriots will hold a National Colloquium/Dialogue at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Monday, March 18, 2024. 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. Until his death, Prof Nwabueze championed the cause of restructuring, which he believed was the only pathway to an 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.”

Following is the full text of the Press Statement signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Secretary to the National Burial Committee

PRESS STATEMENT

Monday, 19th February, 2024

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.

Expected at the various events of the Obsequies announced above are; delegations and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Former Presidents and Former Vice Presidents of Nigeria 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.