Gridlock in Owerri, Markets shuts down as Njemanze goes home

Markets in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, are expected to be closed on Friday (today) as the remains of the departed paramount ruler of Owerri, Eze Emenyonu Njemanze, will be buried in his palace after a church service...

The church service is expected to be presided over by the Anglican Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Cyril Okorocha, at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Owerri.

The monarch, who joined his ancestors three weeks ago, reigned for 27 years, ascending the throne in 1989 with a staff of office presented to him by the then Military Governor of Imo State, the late Commodore Amadi Ikwegheh.

Already, prominent indigenes of Owerri residing outside the state have stormed the capital city in order to bid the monarch farewell.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that all markets in Owerri would be closed in honour of the late monarch.

A pharmacist, who retired from the General Hospital, Owerri, (now Federal Medical Centre, Owerri), said the late traditional ruler succeeded the late Eze Lucius Njemanze, who reigned for over a decade.