The remains of the former Administrator of the defunct East Central State, Dr. Anthony Ukpabi Asika arrived the Akanu Ibiam Airport today on its way to Onitsha for interment.

The body of the elder statesman was received at the Airport by the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dr. Sam Egwu and a cross section of sympathizers from the five Eastern States and those who served under him as Administrator.

Before the body was moved down to Onitsha a brief funeral ceremony was held at Dr. Michael Okpara Square where it was laid in State for about an hour. The casket which contained the remains of the deceased was draped in national colours and placed on a podium equally decorated in national colours.

In a tribute to the deceased, Governor Nnamani described, Dr. Ukpabi Asika as an educationist, political scientist, sociologist, philosopher and a scholar in government.

According to Governor Nnamani, Dr. Asika is a great man and a courageous son of Nigeria who dared to differ and went for the other opinion during the trial period of the country's match to nationhood.

As an educationist the Governor recalled Asika's role in nationalizing schools thereby providing education to the poor and thus bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. He praised Dr. Asika for understanding the trinity of the Igboman as a philosopher, which he said was characterized by the spirit of adventurism, reasoning and self-willed accomplishment.

Governor Nnamani noted that as a political scientist the Ajie of Onitsha understood the rainbow coalition that is Nigeria while as a sociologist, he understood the concern of his people in the then Eastern Region especially the minority group in that region.

He then prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss. Also at Okpara Square to pay their respect to the Elder Statesman were the the Deputy Governors of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States; the former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gown and his wife; President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. Irukwu; General Theophulous Danjuma (Rtd), Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd), Chief C. C. Onoh, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, Lt. General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd), among other dignitaries from different parts of the country.