Tinubu, others Mourn Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu
President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, and others mourned the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Thursday.
The elder statesman’s family released a statement confirming his death
It reads: “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the death of our patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu – Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.”
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from a brief illness. His age was 82. He was a successful businessman and a prominent politician.
The late businessman was the owner of Champion Newspapers. His company had also expanded into a conglomerate of over 20 enterprises, including Enic Advertising Ltd, Magil Industries Limited, National Post Newspapers, Sunrise Insurance Brokers, Oriental Shipping Lines Limited, Paradise City Hotel, Calabar and Oriental Airlines.
Iwuanyanwu took office as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on April 30, 2023, immediately after the Imeobi Ohanaeze confirmed his nomination, following the death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural group also confirmed his death through the National Publicity Officer, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, Vice-President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s South-East Region, regarded Iwuanyanwu’s death as “a very big and collosal loss to the Ndigbo,” stating, “He was a man who came to bind the Ndigbo together.”
He was committed to Igbo and Nigerian unification. He had a mission to bring all of the country’s tribes together. It’s regrettable that he didn’t complete his aim of uniting all of Nigeria’s tribes.
Tinubu, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed his condolences to the family, the Imo State government, the deceased’s friends and associates, and the Ndigbo for what he described as an irreparable loss.
“The President affirms that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy,” the statement said, as he prayed for the soul of the late elder statesman.
Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, issued a statement expressing his sympathies to the Iwuanyanwu family, friends and allies, as well as the entire South East region.
The former President stated, “He was a visionary who transformed the nation’s media and sports.” He achieved considerable success in the media, construction, sports, business, and politics.
Dapo Abiodun, Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, decried Iwuanyanwu’s death as a great loss for the nation.
On Thursday, Abiodun issued a statement on behalf of the governors of the southern states, calling the news of the businessman, publisher, and politician’s death disturbing.
Similarly, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, also mourned Iwuanyanwu, characterizing him as a “distinguished statesman, notable patriot, and renowned businessman.”
Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, stated that the Igbo nation is losing their icons in quick succession.
In a news release issued by the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Benjamin Kalu characterized the late Ohanaeze chieftain as an iroko who had fallen in Igbo land.
others who expressed their sadness about the demise of the icon include The senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sam Ohuabunwa,Â
The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB, The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, the umbrella body of all youth groups in Nigeria.
