Hundreds Receive The Remains Of Achebe As Family Limits Government Involvement (PHOTOS)

Mr. Achebe’s body arrived at Abuja without much of the pageantry earlier envisaged.
Hundreds of people were at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to receive the body of late literary giant, Chinua Achebe; even as major burial plans scheduled to involve top Nigerian government officials were shelved.See more photos after the cut...

The late Professor's body which arrived in the early hours of yesterday, aboard a British Airways flight was received by the Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim; and the Minister of State for Abuja, Olajumoke Akinjide.

The programme of activities for the burial had suggested that Mr. Achebe’s body “will be received upon arrival by a delegation of Nigerian Leaders. Diplomatic and [that] Cultural representatives from African Nations shall be in attendance to pay their respects. Cultural troupes from different parts of the African continent shall perform at the airport reception”.