The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor is dead, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has confirmed.
The Igbo leader’s exit had been widely speculated since Monday, December 26, but was later dispelled by officials of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
But after about 48 hours of uncertainty over the issue, the Imo State Government has officially announced that Obiozor succumbed to the cold hands of death as was being rumoured.
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He made this known in a statement on his Instagram page on Wednesday night.
Uzodimma said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Imo State, I, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State, sorrowfully announce the passage of a great Son of Imo State and Nigeria, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George OBIOZOR.
“A renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat, a statesman and a tenacious patriot, Prof George Obiozor passed on recently after a brief illness.
“The death of this foremost Igbo leader and former NIGERIA’S ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel, is a big loss to Imo State, the South East and the entire Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.
“His burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.
‘‘May his great and gentle soul rest in peace.”