The last is yet to be heard about the Anambra burial law; as the state prepares for the funeral of its first civilian Governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike Igboukwu).
Ezeife, a Harvard-trained Economist, was Governor of Anambra State between January 1992 to November 1993 during the aborted third republic.
As a former Governor, the late Ezeife, who was also a former federal Permanent Secretary, is expected to be given a state burial like the former Governor mbadinuju of the state who was buried in November last year.
According to the Ezeife family, the funeral activities to bid the statesman who died on 14th December last year farewell will commence in April this year, almost 4 months after his death.
According to Anambra People News, a source who spoke anonymously and exclusively to it, the Igboukwu community has refused plans by Anambra State government to conduct Ezeife’s burial for just a day; according to Anambra State burial law.
The source confirmed that the government is resolute about upholding the burial law, and has cancelled the mounting of billboards and posters for the burial.
But the Igboukwu community has insisted that even if the state refuses to participate in the burial, it would be able to raise substantial amount of money to give the former Governor a befitting burial.
The source stated that some stakeholders have waded into the matter to make the Governor see reasons with the community, but didn’t say if the government was ready to shift ground.
It was gathered that recently, the Anambra State Chapter of CLO has joined call by many associations in urging the state government to give the former Governor a befitting burial.
Among other things, the Anambra burial law prohibits the erection of billboards, banners and posters of deceased persons. Persons are allowed to erect only directional posts. However, such directional posts must not be erected before seven days to the burial date and should be removed not later than seven days after the burial date.
The law provides that corpses should not be left in a mortuary beyond two months from the date of death. Defaulters shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of N100,000 or serve an imprisonment term of six months, or both.
Roads are also not to be blocked for any burial except with permission from the appropriate local government authority.
The law also prohibits second funeral rites after burial except in the case of legacy.
Also, the law states that there will be no wake for deceased individuals in the state, and all vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activities preceding the burial must conclude by 9:00 p.m.
The law further provides that there will be no food, drink, life band, or cultural entertainers during or after these ceremonies.
Preserved or embalmed corpses shall not be exposed for more than 30 minutes from the time of exposition. Alternatively, such corpses may be kept in a secure room or any concealed location on the premises. Also, the law states that condolence visits after burial/funeral ceremonies should not extend beyond one day.
The law stipulates that funeral undertakers should not be more than six in number and there should be no undertakers’ display during the burial ceremony.
The law also provides that burials are not to be held on any local market day of every town in the state. Also, no funeral brochure should be made except for the Order of Mass/Service on the burial day.
Credit: anambrapeople.com.ng