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An Igbo think-tank, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), has mourned Ohanaeze President General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died during a brief illness last Thursday, at the age of 82
Regardless of its sombre mood, ADF also commended President Bola Tinubu for signing into law the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill.
The group spoke in separate press statements jointly signed by its National President, Ukachukwu Awuzie, and National Secretary, Abia Onyike.
Expressing deep grief on the death of Iwuanyanwu, ADF said his leadership style and achievements left him as one who would be sorely missed by Ndigbo and the nation at large.
The group described Iwuanyanwu as a success story in his cosmic and existential stay on earth in business, politics, sports, church affairs, community development and philanthropy, among others.
According to the statement, the late Ohanaeze president general transmuted to a level where he became outstandingly a role model in all ramifications of life.
“He strode the human space as a colossus, having started active adult life during the civil war. He fought with men of his age and attained the rank of a major due to his gallantry.
“He, however, went back to the university to complete his university career where he became a civil engineer. With this degree, he became a certified engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria to establish his construction company, Hardel and Enic.
“From there, he established a conglomerate of businesses, spanning sports with Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club of Owerri and Champion Newspapers, among others. The accruals from these businesses turned him into a philanthropist of repute.
“At a point, Iwuanyanwu veered into politics where he vied for the office of the president of Nigeria. Though he could not win due to the ceiling placed on Ndigbo in Nigerian politics in occupying the country’s highest office, he made a remarkable impact, showing him as a man of courage. His remarkable success and courage earned him lots of accolades from the Nigerian state, the international state where he got honorary doctorate degrees in reputable universities in the USA, and many chieftaincy titles in Nigeria.”
The group noted that Iwuanyanwu’s venture into Ohanaeze leadership capped his life as a courageous patriot, and hence, prayed that he should find favour in the sight of his maker as he journeys to the great beyond to meet revered Igbo ancestors like the Zik of Africa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, M. I. Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and others.
On the presidential assent to the SEDC Bill, ADF described it as a milestone aimed at the concrete actualisation of the post-civil war three Rs of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation.
It said: “The need for the real development of the Igbo nation in Nigeria after the devastating civil war can never be overemphasised, given the lip service that used to be the order of the day. We see this as a real sign of the reintegration of our people and thus, are very appreciative of the kind gesture.
“We believe most agitations that happen in most societies all over the world have their roots in isolationism, marginalization and exclusion of a segment of the nation involved. Any country where this is eschewed, precipitates development.”
The think-tank, therefore, thanked Mr. President and his team for the gesture and prayed for the speedy implementation of the letters of the law.
It also appreciated the kind actions and indefatigable roles of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and his team, in ensuring the passage of the bill into law and prayed that Igbo ancestors should reward them.
The ADF enjoined them to follow-up on the SEDC law to ensure its full implementation.
