The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Friday described President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor, as an inspirational leader who gave the country his best.
In a statement by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, NEF said it hoped Obiozor would be suitably replaced.
It said: “Northern Elders Forum is saddened by the demise of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor.
“He was a great Nigerian whose life captured the truism that most of us can serve the nation and our cultural identities with distinction and honour.
“He gave Nigeria his best, and died on his feet in the search for solutions to its multiple contemporary challenges.
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“It is even sadder that Ambassador Obiozor died when he was leading his organisation towards a historic rapprochement with the rest of Nigeria.
“It will be difficult to fill the shoes left be Ambassador Obiozor, but Northern Elders Forum prays that the organisation will find a leader who will continue with his inspirational leadership.”
The Forum extended its condolences to the Obiozor family, Ohanaeze Ngigbo and Nigerians over the great loss.
Obiozor was Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, Ambassador to the State of Israel and former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).