President Bola Tinubu has mourned the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died on Thursday.
The 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died after a brief illness, according to a statement signed by his son, Jide Iwuanyanwu.
Shortly after his death was announced, President Tinubu described the late Iwuanyanwu as an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
“President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday,” presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement.
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He said Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy, praying for the repose of the departed elder statesman.
Profound Loss
Similarly, the Southern Governors’ Forum described the death as a profound loss to the nation.
The regional governors expressed their condolence in a Thursday statement by their Chairman and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
“I received with shock, the news of the death of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. His passing at this critical time when his counselling as an elder statesman is needed is saddening,” Abiodun said.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu was a remarkable leader, statesman, and patriot who dedicated his life to promoting the unity, progress, and well-being of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole.
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“His contributions to fostering inter-ethnic harmony, peaceful co-existence, and mutual understanding between the diverse peoples of our country were huge. His death is a profound loss not only for the Igbo nation but Nigeria as a whole.”
The governors said Iwuanyanwu worked tirelessly to preserve the unity of the country with his various, timely interventions at critical times when contentious issues were raging.
“On behalf of the Southern Governors’ Forum, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Nwuanyanwu family, the Ohaneze Ndigbo family, the entire South-East region and Nigeria as a whole,” the statement read.
Iwuanyawu’s demise
His son, Jide Iwuanyanwu, announced this in a statement on Thursday.
“The Iwuanyanwu Family of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr. Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka who died on Thursday, 25 July, 2024, after a brief illness,” Jide said in the statement.
Mr Iwuanyanwu has become the second president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after his predecessor, George Obiozor.
Mr Iwuanyanwu was born on 4 September 1942.
He emerged as the 11th President-General of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation on April 20, 2023.
Iwuanyanwu succeeded George Obiozor who led the Ọhanaeze Ndigbo for two years but died on December 29, 2022.
At different times, he had unsuccessfully sought to be Nigeria’s president.
A graduate of engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mr Iwuanyanwu was the founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, now Heartland Football Club, which has won several local and international championships.
The octogenarian was the publisher of the Daily Champion newspaper.
