His Excellency, Dr. Chudi Nwike, the former governor of Anambra State who was abducted and killed by unknown gunmen, will be laid to rest at his home in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, South-East Nigeria, on June 7, News Express has learnt.

A programme just released by Dr. Nwike’s family, in conjunction with the Committee of Friends in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, said the funeral activities would formally start with a service of songs/night of tributes at his Cassava Street residence in the Wuye district of Abuja FCT on Friday, May 31. The event starts from 6pm, according to the programme signed by the Co-ordinator, Committee of Friends, Rt. Hon. Chief Agunwa Anaekwe (Okwulora).

The remains of the late medical doctor who served as the Third Republic deputy governor of his state under Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife between 1992 and 1993 will be received by Governor Peter Obi at the Awka Government House where he will lie in state, on Thursday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. He will also lie in state the State House of Assembly Awka on the same day.

Dr. Nwike’s funeral cortege will also make a flag-stop at the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) state headquarters office at Awka before proceeding to Oyi, where his remains will also stop briefly at the local government headquarters at Nteje, before arriving finally to his home at Ogbunike. The programme further indicates that a vigil Mass will be celebrated at the late Dr. Nwike’s compound on that same day.

The climax of the funeral ceremonies will be on Friday, June 7, when a Requiem Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Amawa, Ogbunike at 10:00 a.m., after which he would be buried at his compound.

News Express recalls that Nwike, until his death, the South-East national vice chairman of ACN, was kidnapped on March 19 on his way to transact some businesses outside Anambra State. His dumped body was found on April 7 in neighbouring Delta State by the police command. Dr. Nwike was murdered alongside his relative who had gone to deliver the demanded ransom to the abductors, and his driver.

•Photo shows late Dr. Nwike.

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