…Says cultures, traditions should be respected
… Maintains, burial not June 8,
By Emeka Ifeanyi
Prince Ibuchukwu Orji, the first son from the first wife of late Hon. Prince (Dr.) Steve Orji (Okeosisi) has appealled to the Governor of Imo state, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON to disregard the purpoted burial of his father on Saturday June 8,2024.
In a letter dated Wednesday May 22,2024 through his lawyer and on behalf of his siblings, Obinna Ifeanyi Emmanuel, informed the Governor, the date of the rumoured burial was fixed without the consent of the principal members of the family as it was solely done by the sixth and last wife of his late father, Mrs. Helen Obioma Orji.
It was further informed, Prince Ibuchukwu Orji also wrote to the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Owerrri, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe and to the Member, representing the Orlu State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Barrister Martin Ikenna Ihezuo, reminding them, that the remains of their late father, Hon. Prince (Dr.) would be brought to the Assembly complex, but, he would inform them at the right time.
He appealed to them to respect the cultures and traditions of Igbo land by disregarding the rumour making the round that the burial of their father and former colleague at the Imo State House of Assembly would be on Saturday June 8, 2024, noting, he would communicate to them in due time as regards to the actual date.
Parts of the letters have it that, “The said date, Saturday June 8,2024 was not discussed by our clients as the principal members of the family of which Prince Ibuchukwu Orji is the first son and heir apparent to the late Hon. (Dr.) Prince Steve Orji’s dynasty.
“That, it is alien in Igbo cultures and traditions for the sixth and last wife of late Hon.Prince (Dr.) Steve Orji to announce and fix date without the consent of the principal members of the family”.
Furthermore, in the letter to the Governor, Senator Uzodinma, Prince Ibuchukwu Orji informed him, that he would soon announce the death of his father and subsequently, the burial date in due time, adding, they hold the office of the Governor in highest esteem and believed, he would use it to do the right thing by disregarding the rumoured burial date on June 8, 2024.
In a telephone conversation, Prince Ibuchukwu Orji, avered, “My father won’t be buried on Saturday June 8,2024 as being speculated in some quaters. It is not acceptable by me and to every right thinking person in my village, community and the society at large.
” I am not talking about what he left behind as being rumoured since he is yet to be laid to rest, but I am insisting on doing what is right and the task lies on my head as demanded by Igbo cultures and traditions”.