Anambra State Government on Tuesday said four Heads of State and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, would be attending the burial of the literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, at Ogidi.

Achebe, his children, brother, family, kinsmen and sympathisers

The burial of Achebe, 82, who died in the United States on March 21, holds on Thursday.

The body of the late professor was flown from Abuja, to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, a few minutes past noon on Tuesday in an Overland local carrier. His body had arrived Nigeria in a British Airways commercial plane from Boston, Massachusetts, USA earlier on Tuesday.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, together with Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; and the National Chairman, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr. Ogobonaya Onu, joined other stakeholders to receive Achebe’s corpse at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The Secretary to the Government of Anambra State, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has confirmed the coming of the foreign dignitaries for Achebe’s burial on Tuesday while briefing reporters on the burial arrangements.

Obaze said President John Mahama of Ghana would be joining President Goodluck Jonathan and two other heads of state, whose attendance has been secured but awaiting final confirmation at the burial.

Although the state government had not declared a public holiday for the burial, Obaze said it was mandatory for civil servants to attend the ceremonies slated for the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka on Wednesday.

Source:
The Punch

 

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Two workers of Arik Air have been arrested in connection with alleged drug trafficking at the Heathrow Airport in London.
Both the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Arik Air are investigating the circumstances that led to the drug trafficking by the duo said to be cabin crew members of the airline. It was learnt that one of the suspects was found in possession of 6kg of cocaine while the other was found with 60 packets of cigarettes.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade ordered the investigation of the two crew members of Arik Air, the airline, however, said it would wait for the outcome of the investigation before it could come out with a statement on the situation.

There are indications that Arik Air may be fined if the suspects are found guilty of the illicit act in line with aviation practice.

The Arik Air flight reportedly took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday. Eight out of 10 crew members that travelled with the flight were said to have been cleared while the remaining two were still being held in London.

According to the Spokesman for Arik Air, Banji Ola; “the attention of the management of Arik Air has been drawn to the detention in UK of two of its cabin crew members in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.

“Arik Air is co-operating fully with the UK authorities and all other concerned agencies in their investigations.”

Source:
The Guardian

 

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Representative for Ikorodu Constituency Lagos State, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa  was crowned with "International African Woman of the Year" at the 2nd annual Women4Africa Award which held in the UK on Saturday May 18th.


The 2nd edition of the women4Africa Awards held the Great Hall, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London.

The award was presented to Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa  by the anchor of the occasion, Princess ‘Deun.
The ‘Women For Africa Awards which had its inaugural ceremony in 2012 seek to honour and award African women by celebrating and encouraging them.

 

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US President Barack Obama and the First lady Michelle Obama are scheduled to visit some selected African nations from the 26th of June on a second trip to the black continent since Obama’s election as President of the United States of America.

Barack Obama

It has been noticed however that the President has once again boycott Nigeria which should have been among the president’s point of contact as Africa’s most populous state with one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania from June 26 – July 3.

The White House has been silent on why the US President snubbed Nigeria but it is an open secret how the Jonathan government has come under severe criticism from the US over its violation of human rights as security forces combat the terrorist group Boko Haram.

“President Obama and the First Lady look forward to traveling to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from June 26 - July 3.  The President will reinforce the importance that the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including through expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions; and investing in the next generation of African leaders,” part of the White House statement reads.

Source:
The Will

 

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