21st May, 2013
Senator Pius Anyim Pius, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State led other dignitaries comprising government officials, writers, cultural organisations and other associates to receive the remains of celebrated writer, Chinua Achebe in Abuja Tuesday morning.
The body of the late author arrived on board British Airways at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport around 5 a.m. Tuesday.
The body of the author of Things Fall Apart was accompanied by Christie, his wife and other close family members from the United States to Nigeria.
The body, which was in a casket draped in national colours of green and white was later brought into the local wing of the airport by pall bearers dressed in full Igbo attire.
The entrance of the casket into the hall was heralded by blaring trumpets, songs and dancing.
Also present at the airport were Chief Ogbonaya Onu, Ike Achebe first son of the deceased and some female ministers.
A brief service presided over by Right Reverend Nwokolo was conducted during the very brief reception at the airport after which the casket was again taken into a plane for another reception coming up later Tuesday in Enugu.
Chrstie, the late author’s wife, Governor Obi and other members of the family were in the flight to Enugu.
Achebe, 82, died on 21 March, 2013 in America.
The popular author will be buried at Ogidi, his hometown, in Anambra State on Thursday.
—Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja