Presidency absents from burial rite of Pa Odiase, composer of national anthem

No official from the presidency officially attended the burial rite of Pa Ben Elide Odiase, the late deputy commissioner of police (rtd), who composed the national anthem and was awarded a member of the order of Niger by the federal government.

 However, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has said that the Police in particular and Nigeria in general has lost an icon in the person of Odiase, who died at the age of 79.

He made the remark during the commendation service held Friday morning during the commendation service at Police College in Ikeja, Lagos which was graced by both serving and retired police officers as well as rank and file.

Orits Wiliki, Reggae Superstar and the Chairman Nigeria Music Copyright Association, an association which the late Police officer was a member during his life time lambasted the federal government dismal treatment of the funeral rites of a man who not only make Nigeria and Nigerians proud with his selfless service to mankind but who used his God given talent to compose the National Anthem we all savor with reminisces today.

“It is indeed sad that the government in Nigeria has always failed to address the issue of honoring those who made great impact on our life as Pa Odiase did. What would one say, of the near absence of government presence (Local, State and Federal) at a great occasion like this,” he lamented.