MASSIVE PRESS CONFERENCE HOLDS FOR CHRISTY ESSIEN IGBOKWE

The famous Niteshift Coliseum in Ikeja on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 played host to a scintillating press conferences to unveil the much expected burial programme of the nation’s Lady of Songs, Christy Essien-Igbokwe who will be laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, September 9. A galaxy of stars of both the music and movie industries graced the conference attended by journalists from practically every serious media organization in the land.

Addressing the conference, the Chairman, of the Christy Essien- Igbokwe National Burial Committee, Dr. Austin Izagbo, a former Delta State Commissioner for Youth, Sports & Culture, said that the widespread reaction to the death of the Lady of Songs is proof that the loss is not just that of the Igbokwe or Essien families but that of a nation.  He said that it was for the stated reason that on July 6, friends, colleagues, admirers and professionals of different persuasions met at the Igbokwe family residence in Lagos and decided to form the Christy Essien-Igbokwe Burial Committee. It was also decided that rather than mourn her death, her passing should be celebrated in a grand fashion and used to achieve several objectives that she lived for.

At the conference at which a dazzling array of events leading to Essien-Igbokwe’s final burial was reviewed, Dr. Izagbo announced that a Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Endowment Fund account has been set up not just to fund her burial activities but to initiate or support such programmes and causes that will immortalize her name and ideals. Emphasizing that the committee has taken several steps to ensure that the fund is managed with utmost transparency and professionalism, he appealed to the millions of people and institutions touched in different ways by the life, career, songs, acting, philanthropy and numerous social activities of the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe to make contributions to the fund through the nearest Zenith Bank branch and identify with the plans to immortalize the lady who brought happiness to many across Nigeria. The Fund presently has a Zenith Bank account number 1003604455.

It was also announced that a delegation of the committee had met with Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State not only to brief the governor of the burial plans but to resolve the well known differences between the Igbokwe family and the Akwa Ibom State government. According to Dr. Izagbo, “Involved in the discussions were members of the Essien family fromOkat, Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State. We are happy to announce the assurances of Governor Akpabio of the full participation of the government of Akwa Ibom State in the burial ceremonies of Christy Essien-Igbokwe”

It was also revealed that the committee had met with Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State from where the Igbokwe’s hail. The governor was represented at the conference by his Senior Special Assistant, Lady Ucheoma Chukwudum who reiterated the participation of the Government of Anambra State in the funeral programme.

Also at the Conference was the Federal Director of Culture, Mr. George Ufot who represented the Minister of Culture, Tourism & National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and who assured the conference of the full support of the Federal Government in the celebration of the life of Christy Essien-Igbokwe, a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic.

Among the many female stars who stormed the press conference to identify with their own were Onyeka Onwenu, Yinka Davies, Stella Monye, Keffe, Eva, Stella Damasus, Gloria Doyle, Essence, Yeni Kuti, Kenny Saint Brown Clarion Chukwurah, etc. Also present was Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria, Chief Tony Okoroji who coordinated the conference.

  

For: SUB COMMITTEE ON PUBLICITY

NONYE BEN NWANKWO

ZENITH BANK TO MANAGE CHRISTY ESSIEN-IGBOKWE ENDOWMENT FUND



Chief Mrs. Christy Essien Igbokwe

 Zenith Bank Plc, a leading Nigerian bank, has been appointed to manage the funds for the burial and post burial activities of the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe.

An account named "Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Endowment Fund" to which all her fans, sympathizers, friends and interest groups within the country and beyond who wish a befitting burial for the deceased national icon can make their contributions, has been opened by the bank. The fund will also be used for the sustenance of her legacy and vision.

The Christy Essien-Igbokwe Grand Burial Committee which met at the family residence in Ikeja on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 ratified the setting up of the account and called for national support for the historic funeral being planned for the Lady of Songs, unarguably, the first lady of Nigeria’s modern entertainment industry. The committee set the ball rolling by instantly raising more than N1million from among some of its members which was paid into the account. The committee has called on the millions of people and institutions touched in different ways by the life, career, songs, acting, philanthropy and numerous social activities of the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe to make their contributions through the nearest Zenith Bank branch and identify with the plans to immortalize the lady who brought happiness to many across Nigeria. The Zenith Bank account number is: 1003604455.

Senior officials of Zenith Bank were invited to the Grand Burial Committee meeting where they were given clear instructions on the prudent management of the fund. It will be recalled that a finance sub-committee made up of Chairman of the grand committee, Mr. Austin Izagbo; constitutional lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje; Mr. Marcel Ikedudu, a retired banker; Dr. Patrick Igbokwe, member of the Igbokwe family and Mr. Mike Ejezie had been set up to ensure transparency, probity and accountability in the management of the fund.

At the Grand Committee meeting, reports were received from each of the various Sub-committees which have already swung into action. Highlight of the meeting was the review of the report of the Committee on Ceremonials which is designing the different activities that will form what is expected to be an epoch making 9-day programme of the celebration of the life and times of the Lady of Songs culminating in her burial in Lagos on September 9.

Reporting to the Grand Committee on behalf of the Committee on Ceremonials, Chief Tony Okoroji, former president of PMAN and Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) disclosed that that the intention is to release a comprehensive programme of the final rites of the legendary musician at a major press conference to be held soon in Lagos.

According to Chief Okoroji, who acts as the chairman to the sub-committee on information and publicity, the burial activities for the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe is being conceptualized and designed in a manner that the huge crowd of her admirers home and abroad would find accommodation within the programme.

A representative of the Akwa Ibom State Community in Lagos also attended the meeting of the grand burial committee and praised the members for the very articulate and professional manner in which they have approached the plans to give unprecedented national honour to a proud daughter of Akwa Ibom State.

The grand Burial Committee is made up of persons such as Chief Austin Izagbo, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Chief Tony Okoroji, Mr. Ken Calebs Olumese, Mr. Tee Mac Itseli, Mr. Laolu Akins, Mr. Emma Ogosi, Dr. Patrick Igbokwe, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Mr. Daniel Wilson, Mr. Gerald Abonyi, Ms Clarion Chukwurah, Mr. Obi Asuru, Ms. Yeni Kuti, Mr. Dan Eke, Mr. Fred Agbaje, Mr. Romeo Obika, Mr. Muka Popoola, etc.

MUKA POPOOLA
For Publicity Sub Committee