It was a day of grief and sorrow for the South-East governors and the entire people of the region, on Monday, as the remains of the late Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for onward journey home.

Dr. Ekwueme who died on November 19, last year in a London clinic, would be buried in his country home at Oko, Anambra State, on February 2.

The body of the late former vice president was flown from Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, in a Nigeria Air Force plane marked NAF 918, which landed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu at 2:08p.m.

Ekwueme remains, on arrival was received by the South-East Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman and the governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, accompanied by Governors Willie Obiano(Anambra State), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) while the Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu was absent.

The late Ekwueme’s brother and the traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Laz Ekwueme led his wives and children to the airport reception.

Other Igbo dignitaries who came to the airport to pay their last respect to the late vice president included: President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo; the National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chikwas Okorie; the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, His Grace, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma; Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Ogbonnia Nwaifuru, who led all the members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to the airport; the Secretary to the State Government of Ebonyi State, Prof. Bernard Odeh, who also led the Ebonyi State executives; chairmen of Ebonyi and Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and Hon. Augustine Nnamani; and Secretary to the State Government of Enugu State, Elder Gabriel Ajah

THE SUN