Chike Akunyili, widower of the late minister of information and communication Prof Dora Akunyili, has been buried at his Agulu home in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Among those who witnessed the burial on Thursday were former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; and his wife, Margaret; former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Senator Victor Umeh; Anambra State deputy governor-elect, Onyekachi Ibezim; representatives of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, five Catholic bishops and scores of other priests.
Akunyili was killed on September 29 while returning to Enugu from an event in Onitsha, Anambra State where his late wife was given a posthumous award.
Speaking at his burial service at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu, Rev. Fr Damian Akunonu said there was no justification for the killing of Akunyili.
He said the loss of core values was responsible for the growing rascality and criminality in society, adding that the murder of Akunyili should serve as a wake-up call to both the state and federal government to restructure the security architecture of the country.
Rev Akunonu of the Biggard Seminary, Enugu, who said he wedded the Akunyilis, maintained that the couple were fulfilled persons.
He said, “Unfortunately, the place where Chike was killed had four police stations and the same number of hospitals, yet Chike was not saved. People were rather busy recording video of the incident. Chike was seen in a video clip struggling to save himself after the attack.
“Those in charge of security at both federal and state levels should use this opportunity to restructure the security architecture.”
One of Akunyili’s children Obum said his father was a fulfilled man even though his death was painful as his children were doing well in the various areas of their calling.
