Ahead of the burial of the late president-general, Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Sen Ben Obi, head, burial planning committee said prominent Nigerians have indicated interest to attend the ceremony.

He said that ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and the five south eastern governors along with foremost Yoruba leader, Ayo Adebanjo, among others, would be present during the event.

The late entrepreneur and politician would be buried on November 1 at his country home at Attah, Imo state.

Mr Obi, while briefing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, said governors from the five south eastern states had also reaffirmed their support.

Mr Obi, who was represented at the event by Prof. Ike Ikechukwu, chairman of the media sub-committee, said the needed sensitisation was ongoing.

“We have continued with the needed sensitisation of respected elder statesmen and women, as well as stakeholders , friends and well-wishers within and outside the country.

“The South-East governors, in their last meeting, reaffirmed their resolve to give our leader the befitting and dignified exit rites he deserves.

“This is in addition to the support of national stakeholders and a diaspora community that is currently organising and projecting other activities in honour of Ahaejiagamba.”

“As indicated in our earlier exchanges with the media, the series of activities lined up for this purpose will end with his final interment on the 1st of November, 2024”, he said.

Mr Obi described Mr Iwuanyanwu as a gift by God to Ndigbo, the country and to the world in general who touched many lives, communities and sectors in his long and eventful life.

“He invested heavily in nation building, group cohesion and the struggle for equity in our national life,” he said.

The president, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, described the late Igbo leader as a worthy Nigerian who should be celebrated by all.

Mr Isiguzo said that the late elder statesman was the best president Nigeria never had.

He described Iwuanyanwu as a patriotic Nigerian who impacted positively on the lives of many Nigerians.

(NAN)