THE death has occurred of Her Excellency, Dibueze Chinyere Asika (OFR) of the family of former Military Administrator of the defunct East Central State, the late Ajie Dr Ukpabi Asika (CFR) of Ogbeoza, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The late Mrs. Asika (nee Ejiogu) died on May 3, 2015. Born on June 19, 1939, she was a former Special Advisor, Women Affairs to former Governor C. C. Onoh of old Anambra State; Senior Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on NEPAD and Head, NEPAD Nigeria; Chairman, National Steering Committee of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM); Chairman, Commonwealth Human Ecology Council; Non-Executive Director, Zenith bank PLC; and Nigeria and ECOWAS Representative and Vice Chairman, Eminent Persons Council, APRM of the African Union.

In recognition of her excellent contributions to the society, she was at different times conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Ochendo Owerri; Nne Igbo Gburu Gburu and Iya Meto of Ibadanland.

Her funeral arrangements were announced by her family as follows: Service of Songs UK: St. Matthew’s Church, Thornhill Crescent, Islington, London N1 IBQ on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 6pm prompt; Service of Songs USA: Saint Peter’s Igbo Anglican Church, 1300 Brunswick Ave, Trenton NJ 08638 on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 6pm prompt; Night of Tribute/Service of Songs: International Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 6pm prompt; Egbu Send-Forth: Ejiogu Compound, Egbu, Owerri on Wednesday July 22, 2015 from 7pm (all night); Airport Reception: Sam Mbakwe International Airport Owerri on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 9.30am; Flag-Stop/Prayers: Ejiogu Compound, Egbu, Owerri on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 12 noon; Lying-In-State: 22 Niger Drive, Onitsha GRA on Friday, July 24, 2015 from 6am to 10am; Funeral Service: All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10.30am prompt and interment follows immediately after service; Reception: 22 Niger Drive, GRA, Onitsha; Outing Service: Immanuel Anglican Church, Ugwunaobankpa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 9am prompt.

The late Mrs. Asika is survived by her children including Ojinnaka Obodoechina and Enyikwesili Asika, Nwaezebuona Nkiru Asika, Abiye and Amalunweze Uju Cole, and Nwando Asika; grandchildren including Mayowa Oluwasanmi, Seyi Oluwasanmi, Ezra Cole, Jedidah Cole and Anulika Asika; numerous siblings, cousins, in-laws and friends. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.