Family alleges neglect of National Anthem composer’s burial

The family of the late composer of the National Anthem – ‘Arise O’ Compatriots’ -  Benedict Odiase, has accused the Federal Government of not showing “enough interest” in the planned burial of the deceased.

In a statement on Sunday, the family noted that with only a few days to the burial, there was no serious commitment from the Federal Government to immortalise the deceased.

The Police, the family, however, said had so far shown interest in the arrangement.

Odiase’s funeral holds between August 23 and 25.

The late Odiase, who composed the National Anthem adopted in 1978, died on June 11, 2013 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

His version of the anthem replaced the former one – ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ – adopted at the nation’s Independence in 1960.

The family said the need to cry out over the neglect was to avoid accusation of turning “a national patriot’s burial to a family affair.”

The statement read, “It is in the light of this development that the family, through the Central Burial Planning Committee, is embarking on an urgent media sensitisation to draw the attention of Nigerians to the plans and efforts for the burial thus far, and particularly to the authorities, to avoid setting a negative historic precedent.

“It is the hope of the family that with your strategic media support for this crucial intervention, Pa Benedict Odiase will be accorded a befitting burial.

“On behalf of the family of the late Pa Benedict Odiase, we express our gratitude to everyone that has sent in condolence messages and paid visits to the family. We, especially thank the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for his prompt commiseration as expressed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.”

Meanwhile, the family said the funeral, including the internment and thanksgiving service, would hold at Sobe in Owan West Local Government of Edo State.