The Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, has declared a two-day holiday to honour its founder and late former vice president of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, who will be buried in his country home, Oko, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Friday.
In a memo to the polytechnic community dated January 29, 2018, which was copied to the Governing Council Chairman of the polytechnic, Chief Lasbry Amadi, and the Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu, among others, the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Njaka Stella, said tomorrow and Friday have been declared work free days.
“I am directed to inform you that February 1 and 2, 2018, have been declared work free days for the polytechnic community,” she wrote.
The registrar advised students and staff to stay away from the polytechnic premises as the institution would be used to host visitors who will attend the burial ceremonies.
The polytechnic, in conjunction with the Old Aguata Union and Oko Community, yesterday hosted a colloquium at the new Polytechnic Auditorium in honour of the late patriarch.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has said the Federal Government did not spend N1 billion for Ekwueme’s burial.
Ngige, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Nwachukwu Obidiwe, in Abuja yesterday, described the report as misleading and needless controversy.
“Perhaps, the minister has prompted the rhetoric of cynics and detractors who could have easily run to town to claim the federal government has abandoned Ekwueme in death.
