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By Daniel Kanu
Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof Joe Irukwu, is dead. He was aged 89.
Mourning his demise yesterday, some present and past leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization extolled his virtues, stressing that he was a role model and outstanding leader that served the Igbo nation and humanity well.
A statement by Prince Harrison Eze Okorie, president general, Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, said: “The Amaokwe Item Welfare Union on behalf of entire Amaba Ukwu kindred and the immediate family hereby announce the glorious, but painful demise of our great patron, father, grandfather, son and brother, Prof (Chief) Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, SAN, CFR.
“The union, on behalf Amaokwe Community, commiserates with the family and pray to God to grant his soul peaceful rest.
“The union enjoins all Amaokwe sons and daughters to mourn the exit of this giant as we also remember to uphold his family in prayers in this moment of grief.”
Irukwu, a lawyer, lecturer, author and insurance guru, was the founding managing director of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation.
He also founded African Development Insurance Company thereafter, which was later sold to Diamond Bank.
Irukwu obtained a degree in Law and Insurance from a British university in 1962.
Mourning, former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, expressed shock at the news, saying that “it’s a painful news, but he lived a very good life, rendered service to the Igbo nation and to humanity in general, excelled and made his mark in his chosen profession, Insurance.
“Also, he made his mark in Africa and beyond, in the insurance world. So after such great service, we can only bid him farewell. May his great soul rest in peace,” he said.
Also, Dr Joe Nworgu, former secretary general of the organization, expressed shock at the demise of Irukwu, explaining that he was just hearing the news from Sunday Sun.
“I am shocked at the news that you are just giving me now. I am not aware of this until now. It’s very unfortunate, I am sad about it. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.
Also speaking on the exit of the elder statesman, President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Edwin Igbiti, said that a hero is gone, adding that his contributions would be greatly missed.
He noted that the late Irukwu was the first professor of the institute and that he contributed immensely to the growth and development of the institute.
The late Prof Irukwu was born in 1934.
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