Following an end to the controversy in where his final resting place will be, after a compromise was reached between the Nigerian Army and family of late National Security Adviser, Gen. Patrick Owoeye Azazi, his remains will now be interred in the state capital – the latter had wanted the late general buried in his home village of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in line with the tradition of the area.
While announcing the burial arrangement for Azazi who died on Saturday, December 15, in a helicopter crash, governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Wednesday, said the former NSA would be given a befitting state burial.
The decision of the Bayelsa State government to accord Azazi a state burial was in recognition of his enviable record of service to the state and country at large.
Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, stated: “In view of the late General Azazi‘s illustrious military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his remains would be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the state capital. This is to demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Azazi as a true hero of Ijaw nation.”
The approved official burial arrangements are as follows:
Friday 28, December 2012
1. Service of Songs
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time: 5pm Prompt
2. Entertainment of Invited Guests/Dignitaries
Venue: Government House, Banquet Hall
Time: 8pm
Saturday 29th December 2012
1. Commendation Service
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time: 9am
2. Interment
In view of the Late General Azazi ‘s illustrious Military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his remains will be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the State capital. This is to clearly demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Andrew Owoye Azazi as a true hero of the Ijaw Nation.
Time: 12pm
3. State Reception for Guests/Dignitaries
Time: 2pm prompt
4. Departure
