From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Fred Itua, Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja, George Onyejiuwa, Owerri, Jude Chinedu, Enugu, Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Rain of tributes and encomium have trailed the transition of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
A statement by his son, Jude, on behalf of the family, stated that he died after a brief illness in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, yesterday..
“The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu – Ahaejigamba Ndigbo. He died on 25 July, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged 82.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, businessman, politician, and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to various sectors, particularly in the Igbo community and beyond, was elected President General of the apex Igbo cultural organisation in April, 2023. He is the second President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after his predecessor, Prof. George Obiozor, who also died in office.
He was the ninth leader of the Igbo group since its inception in 1976. He was also the president of Owerri Peoples Assembly (OPA).
Chief Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife Lady Princess Frances, many children including Dr (Mrs) Nwadiuto-Iheakanwa, managing director, Champion Group of Newspapers.
Details of the burial will be announced later by the family after due consultations.
Kinsmen in shock
There mood in Umuohii community, his native town, when Daily Sun visited yesterday was mournful. Beginning from the Atta junction along the Owerri/ Okigwe expressway, the people expressed shock over his death.
A member of the community, Titus Nwankwo, said: “We are very shocked about his death because he was the one who brought development to this community.”
Another kinsman, Anika Ukwuoma, said: “It will be very difficult to get a man like Ahaejiegamba again in the entire state not to talk of in Ikeduru. We was an Iroko.”
Revolutionary, jinx-breaker – Ohanaeze
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the group he led until his death expressed deep shock over the sudden passing.
“Iwuanyanyu deployed his prodigious intellect, political, administrative and political acumen, vast knowledge and invaluable contacts in the selfless service of Ndigbo. The transformative leader lifted Ohanaeze Ndigbo far from its familiar habitat and provenance to an enviable pedestal.
“As members of the NEC, we were always amazed by the brilliant initiatives, elephantine memory, oratory, including the frequency with which the Igbo Leader enunciated robust ideas. Looking back, Ndigbo all over the world were delighted that a jinx-breaker, business icon, moral edifice, mobilizer, harmonizer of diverse interests and an accomplished achiever in the person of Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was at the helm of affairs as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. It is therefore very painful that Chief Iwuanyanwu has passed on with all the ideas that were at his disposal.
Ohanaeze expressed sadness that both Professor Obiozor and Chief Iwuanyanwu died in office, noting that it was worried at the rate it is losing the brightest of the brightest among the Igbo in a close sequence at a time their wise counsels are mostly needed.
“It was Prof Ben Nwabueze, and later, His Majesty, Igwe Joseph Chike Edozien, Dr. Sylvester Ebiwei, Professor Joe Irukwu, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, amongst others.
Legacy’ll always be remembered – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu declared that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the president extended his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday.
Tinubu described the late elder statesman as an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
President Tinubu condoled with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Igbo over this irreparable loss.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort to his family.
Sad event for Nigeria -Buhari
Former president, Muhammadu Buhari, described his passing as a sad event for Nigeria.
He noted that the late statesman’s rich contributions have left indelible memories on the media, sports, politics, and business where he made extraordinary achievements.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari highlighted the latter’s contributions to journalism, sports, politics and nation-building.
“He was a visionary who revolutionized the nation’s media and sports. He made notable strides in the media industry, construction, sports, business, and politics.
“I had several opportunities to interact with him to know about his passionate commitment to the unity, peaceful coexistence, and the development of Nigeria.
“His rich contributions have left indelible memories on the media, sports, politics, and business where he made extraordinary achievements.
“My condolences to his family, friends and associates, and the entire people of the South-east. His death is a loss to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the former president said.
. Demise big loss -Kalu
Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and former governor of Abia State said his demise is a big loss to Nigeria and Ohanaeze in particular
“I mourn the demise of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmmanuel Iwuanyanwu. “The late eminent businessman and philanthropist was a patriotic elder statesman and selfless leader, who was passionate about the growth and progress of Nigeria.He was indeed a man of honour. His demise is a big loss to Nigeria and Ohanaeze in particular.
“He will be remembered for his good deeds and worthy legacies. My condolences to the family, government and good people of Imo State.
“Adieu Aha eji aga mba.”
Reps South East caucus mourns
The South East caucus of the House of Representatives, in a statement by its leader, Igariwey Iduma Enwo, said it received Chief Iwauanyanwu’s demise with “profound shock. “
“ “The South East Caucus of the House of Representatives received with profound shock and sadness the unforeseen passage of Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, ahaejiagamba Ndigbo who, until his death this morning, was the revered 11th President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu, a rare breed, was a consummate Nigerian businessman, Politician and philanthropist, who was a successful pioneer in several sectors, and contributed immensely to the socio-political and economic development of this country.
“We mourn his tragic loss at this crucial period of our National life, and pray God to grant his immediate family, the good people of Imo state, the igbo nation, and friends and associates across Nigeria and the globe, the fortitude to bear this gargantuan loss.”
MASSOB
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) said Igbo will miss his fatherly commitment.
According to a statement by its leader, Uchenna Madu: “He was a devout and dedicated Igbo leader.
Ndigbo shall miss him, his fatherly efforts and commitment for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu shall never be in vain. MASSOB and the people of Biafra mourn a gallant Biafra hero.”
CAN
National Chairman of the Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Belusochukwu Enwere described him as a rallying point of unity in Nigeria.
“He was a father to Ndi-Igbo, mentor and a rallying point of unity. His counsel and guidance was second to none. He was truly a man of honour with good and exemplary patriotic qualities. We have lost a father and a big influence in Nigeria. He was a stabilising influence in Igbo land and Nigeria at large.
Heavyweight in all Dimensions – Abaribe
Former Senate minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe described the death of Iwuanyanwu as a huge loss of a consummate Nigerian patriot who was also a heavyweight intellectually, financially, politically, culturally and socially in Igbo land and the whole of Nigeria.
“Here was a patriot, a consummate lover of our people and a focused progressive who was at the forefront of infrastructural revolution in the Old Imo State and the overall development of our dear country Nigeria.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu was an all rounder, who never glossed over responsibilities that would be beneficial to all irrespective of tribe or religion. Thank you for all you did for our people. We will miss your wise counsel and your focused leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” Abaribe said.
Senator Abaribe condoled with the family, Ndigbo, government and people of Imo State and Nigeria at large.
Ahamba
Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ahamba, said: “It’s a very sad development in Igbo land and Nigeria as a whole, He is a good man who answers his calls anytime, Ndigbo will truly miss him. May God give his family fortitude to bear his loss.
Uwazurike
Leader and founder of the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazurike, said it would be difficult to fill the vacuum he left behind.
“It’s a disheartening day in Igbo land, this is so bad , this is the second time a President General is dying in office in Igbo land. This vacuum will be too big for any other person to fill, I’m speechless now, my prayer goes to his family to as they bear this great loss.”
Ochulor
Former military administrator of Delta State, Luke Ochulor (retd) who also deputised Iwuanyawu as chairman of Owerri Peoples Club said Ndigbo has lost its last pointman.
“I don’t know how to describe his death but Ndigbo has lost its point man. it will be difficult to replace him, i pray for the family, Imo, the entire Igbo land to bear his loss.
CONYL
The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), the umbrella body of all the youth groups in Nigeria has also condoled with the family of the late Ohanaeze leader.
Its national president, Goodluck Ibem and Secretary, Junaid Abubakar, described the news of his demise as devastating, painful and a big loss to Ndigbo and the world at large.
“Chief Iwuanyawu was a great philanthropist, engineer of great repute, enigma of sort, trailblazer, problem solver, goal getter and man with an overflowing zeal to be a blessing to his people and his generation.
“We are really sad that we lost him at a time when his positive contribution to national growth and development is greatly needed. His departure has left a big vacuum in our political journey as a people and a nation.
“We commiserate with the immediate family, the good people of Imo state, Ndigbo all over the world and Nigerians in general over this great loss.
“We pray that God Almighty will give the family and his loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable great loss.”
Ejiofor
Senior Lawyer in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, said the death is not only a big loss to the Igbo race in particular but to the entire Nation in general.
The lawyer disclosed that the late Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader was involved in trying to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu as well as finding a lasting solution to the security challenges affecting the south-eastern part of the country.
He recalled the last meeting with Chief Iwuanyawu a few months ago, when the chief paid a visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility in Abuja.
“After the meeting which involved only the Ohanaeze leader and Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Iwuanyawu during a press briefing later in the evening of that day, said he wept when he saw the condition Kanu was in.
“He said both Nnamdi and himself wept for a while before he told Nnamdi to take heart as efforts were being made to secure his release,” he said.
The lawyer said that visit really traumatised Iwuanyawu as he fell ill weeks after and was in and out of hospital till he passed on.