…President Tinubu, Obi, Kalu, Others Mourn
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is dead.
This was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Jide Iwuanyanwu, the son of the late Igbo leader.
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According to the statement, the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday after a brief illness.
“The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” the statement read.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”
Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren.
The statement stated that the burial details will be announced later by the family after due consultations.
Tinubu Mourns
President Bola Tinubu has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday.
A terse message of condolence from the Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu was until his death the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Tinubu described him as an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
The President said he condoles with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndi Igbo over this irreparable loss.
He also affirmed that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort to his family.
Obi mourns
Former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has reacted to the death of the President General of the Ohanaeze 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, until I received the sad news of his death.
“I sincerely condole with his immediate family, the Ohanaeze 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.
Soludo Mourns
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has mourned the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who he described as “distinguished statesman, notable patriot, renowned businessman, and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide” who passed on on Thursday, July 25, 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 82 years.
In his condolence message signed by his Press Secretary Mr. Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo expressed profound sadness on the passage of the elder statesman, describing it as a monumental loss not only to his immediate family and the Igbo nation but to Nigeria as a whole.
The Governor further described Chief Iwuanyanwu as “a personal mentor, a great supporter as well as 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”.
Soludo said further that Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria are immeasurable.
“As the publisher of the Champion Newspapers and owner of several other businesses, his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic endeavours have left an enduring legacy in our nation, he said.
The Governor recalled and praised the significant contributions of Chief Iwuanyanwu as Chairman, Planning Committee of Ohanaeze, a strategic position Governor Soludo also occupied in the past in Ohanaeze
“Also, 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”,Soludo added.
He extended his deep condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and associates of Chief Iwuanyanwu, Ndigbo and the nation, praying that his soul rest in peace as God grants the family the fortitude to bear this great loss#
Iwuanyanwu, An Iroko Has Fallen in Igbo Land -Kalu
The Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian’s Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has expressed shock and sadness over the death of the President -General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Chief Iwuanyanwu’s demise was announced by his family on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
He died at age of 82 after a brief illness.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu likened Iwuanyanwu’s death as a fallen Iroko tree.
Kalu said that Chief Iwuanyanwu contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
The deputy speaker recalled that Iwuanyanwu, through his many business establishments provided employments for many Nigerians.
Kalu also recognized the patriotic and philanthropic gestures of Chief Iwuanyanwu which he exemplified through the Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance that catered for accident victims all over Nigeria amongst others.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State also lauded the leadership style of Chief Iwuanyanwu at Ohanaeze Ndigbo aimed at uniting and promoting the sociopolitical wellbeing of the people of the south east.
The deputy speaker also recalled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the successful unveiling of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) in Bende Local Government of Abia State in December, 2023, saying that his commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria was unparalleled.
He consoled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s family over the irreplaceable and irreparable loss, acknowledging that Ndi Igbo and indeed, Nigeria will greatly miss him.
He said: “It’s sad news for the people of the southeastern region because Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu remained one of the brightest stars from the region, who actually proved himself in business, political leadership and community leadership. Chief Emmanu Iwuanyanwu
was a great champion, who also designed a platform for the voice of Nigerians, especially the Igbos, to be heard using this champion newspaper.
“He was a man of many parts. A man with so many responsibilities which he discharged very well, and I was close to him in the later part of his life. He paid me a visit just a couple of months ago to congratulate me as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
“And one of his requests was for me to work hard alongside the members of the parliament to ensure that their age old dream of having a development agency known as Southeast Development Commission be a thing that will materialize in his lifetime.
“You’ll be shocked to hear that once the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria assented to that bill, he was the first that I called to share the news with. But he was in coma. It was his wife that answered and told me that chief is in coma.
“And a day after the assent to his long desire, he passed on. That is to show that he truly, truly loved the Igbo race. We will celebrate him.
“Nigeria is going to miss an entrepreneur who was not afraid to invest in Nigeria while people are carrying their funds and depositing them in foreign accounts, Chief Iwuanyanwu was busy investing in Nigeria and creating jobs to reduce the unemployment queue. That is what we are going to miss. We are going to miss an institution of our history, a man who will tell you the history of Nigeria, especially our southeastern experience from beginning to end.
“We have lost that value that he used to bring when we gather to teach the younger ones where we are coming from and where we need to get. So, those are many more, his philanthropic gestures to Nigerians are going to be missed
because he was a selfless man who shared all that he had. So that is what Nigeria is going to miss with his person”.
Kalu also prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Gov Mbah: A great Iroko has fallen”
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has expressed deep grief over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing it as the fall of a great iroko and an incalculable loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
Governor Mbah said Iwuanyanwu was unapologetically Igbo, yet a consummate nationalist and quintessential statesman, who gave his all-in service to the nation and to the Igbo race.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident on Thursday, he said, “I received with a deep 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.
“His politics was no less remarkable. His views were candid and unpretentious, but never divisive. His maturity shone brightly, as he often sought to build bridges.
“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.”
