Former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has reacted to the death of the President General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing it as “devastating”.
Obi, who reacted to the death in his X handle on Thursday, disclosed that he was greatly disheartened by the death of the elder statesman.
According to him, the devastating report of his death has left all who knew him heartbroken.
“When I visited him a few weeks ago, he promised me that he would soon be alright to continue with his contributions to the progress of the nation.
“Since then, I continued to pray for his quick and full recovery, untill I received the sad news of his death.
“I sincerely condole with his immediate family, the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and entire nation over the death of this revered patriarch.
”May God grant us all the fortitude to bear his sad loss and grant him eternal rest,” he prayed.
The renowned Igbo leader and politician died on Thursday morning, following a brief illness, family sources have said.
Gov. Soludo mourns Iwuanyanwu
Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on Thursday expressed sadness over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime, Soludo described Iwuanyanwu’s death as a monumental loss not only to his immediate family and the Igbo nation but to Nigeria as a whole.
Recall Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday at the age of 82 after a brief illness.
The governor said that Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria were immeasurable.
According to the governor, as the publisher of the Champion Newspapers and owner of several other businesses, Iwuanyanwu’s entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic endeavours left an enduring legacy in the country.
Soludo said Chief Iwuanyanwu was a distinguished elder statesman, notable patriot, renowned businessman, a personal mentor and a great supporter.
“He was an influential figure whose life and wise counsel were a tribute to exceptional leadership, patriotism and steadfast dedication to the progress of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a country.
“As the 11th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he provided exemplary leadership, fostering unity, and championing the interests of Ndigbo, even while building bridges of peace across Nigeria,”he said.
The governor extended his condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and associates of Chief Iwuanyanwu, Ndigbo and the nation.
He prayed that his soul rest in peace as God grants the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Iwuanyanwu: A great Iroko has fallen, says Gov Mbah
Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has expressed grief over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“A great iroko has fallen,” Mbah said in Enugu on Thursday.
He described Iwuanyanwu’s death as an incalculable loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
The governor said Iwuanyanwu was unapologetically Igbo, yet a consummate nationalist and quintessential statesman.
He said that the pan-Nigerian gave his all in service to the nation and to the Igbo race.
“I received with a deep sense of grief the shocking news of the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an icon, pan Nigerian, national colossus, and an absolute patriot, who gave his all for the peace and progress of Ndigbo and Nigeria.
“Ahaejiagamba, as he was popularly known, took up the mantle of leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at a very difficult time, and acquitted himself most creditably as a courageous leader, whose vision was to chart a new roadmap for Igbo renaissance in the Nigerian commonwealth.
“He was an erudite scholar, researcher, media entrepreneur, sports enthusiast and financier, business mogul with interest in many critical sectors of the nation’s economy, and indeed a philanthropist,” Mbah said.
He said that in politics, the Igbo leader was no less remarkable as his views were candid and unpretentious, but never divisive.
“Indeed, Chief Iwuanyanwu, a pan Africanist, would be missed by not only Ndigbo and Nigeria, but Africa as a whole.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I offer my condolences to his family and pray that God comforts and grants them as well as the Government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo, and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Rest in peace, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” he prayed.
My father was a man of many parts – Iwuanyanwu’s son
Mr Jide Iwuanyanwu, the first son of the late elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed on Thursday morning, has described his father as a man of many parts.
Jide disclosed this in a statement containing a brief biography of the President-General of the apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
In the statement made available to newsmen in Owerri, he described the deceased as “a renowned Nigerian businessman, politician, and traditional leader”.
He stated: “Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was born on September 4, 1942, in Umunakanu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo.
“He hails from a humble background and is the first child of his parents.
“He attended St. Patrick’s Primary School, Umunakanu, and later proceeded to St. Peter’s Secondary School, Umuguma.
“He furthered his education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated with a degree in Economics.”
Jide further stated that the late Igbo leader started his business career as a trader in the 1960s.
According to him, Iwuanyanwu ventured into various sectors, including construction, manufacturing and publishing.
“He is the founder and chairman of Champion Newspapers Limited, publishers of Champion newspapers.
“He also owns other businesses, including construction companies, manufacturing firms and real estate investments,” Jide added.
He explained that Iwuanyanwu joined active politics in the 1980s and was a member of the National Party of Nigeria and later joined the Peoples Democratic Party.
“He has held various political positions, including being a member of the state House of Assembly (1983-1985), Commissioner for Works and Housing (1985-1987),” he stated.
He further stated that Iwuanyanwu contested for the Imo East Senatorial District in 1992.
Jide also described his father as “a respected traditional leader in Igboland,” who was conferred with several chieftaincy titles, including Eze Udo 1 of Umunakanu, and Ochiagha Ndigbo, amongst others.
He said that he received numerous awards and honours for “his contributions to business, politics, and traditional leadership”.
He listed some of the awards to include Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic and Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law from the Imo State University.
He added that the deceased was a devout Catholic, who engaged in philanthropic activities throughout his life.
Jide said that Iwuanyanwu died at the age of 82, following a brief illness, and was survived by his wife, Frances, children and grand-children.
He said that the date of his burial would be announced by the family after due consultation.
Iwuanyanwu indicated his aspiration to vie for the President on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party in 1997.
He succeeded the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, late Amb. George Obiozor, who died in December 2022.