•Uzodimma commends Ohanaeze leader
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has praised the exceptional leadership qualities of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, during his burial at Atta Ikeduru in Imo State.
Tinubu acknowledged Iwuanyanwu’s profound impact on Nigerian politics and society.
In his address at the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, Atta, Ikeduru, on Friday, President Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to securing a prosperous economic future for Nigerian children.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Federation(SGF), Senator George Akume, said his administration had taken bold economic steps to secure the future of Nigerian children.
He assured Nigerians that his administration had taken bold economic steps in the nation’s movement to secure our own children’s future.
The president acknowledged that although times are hard at the moment, his administration has proffered solutions to tackle complex economic problems that would ensure the future of generations to come.
“Let me assure all Nigerians that my administration has taken bold economic steps in the nation’s movement to secure our own children’s future. Although times are hard at the moment, we have proffered solutions to complex problems that have positioned our economy on the path of growth and progress.”
While commemorating with the immediate family and Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the death of Chief Iwuanyanwu, he noted that the late business mogul had liberated many Nigerians from the doldrums of poverty, adding that he has touched many lives and was always reaching out to less privileged across the country.
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“He was a nationalist and had championed nation-building by promoting unity and harmony across diverse communities, tribes and religious divides. He also inspired a sense of shared purpose and honesty in service, his leadership as 11th President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was signposted by General articulative cooperation and unity.
He employed the power of his office to drive development across the nation while affecting the lives of many Nigerians irrespective of their state of origin.”
President Tinubu praised the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s innovative contributions as a civil engineer.
“Specifically, Iwuanyanwu developed a pioneering design combining flexible pavement and concrete parameters, resulting in a mixed asphaltic concrete approved by Nigeria’s Ministry of Works. Notably, this design is still widely used today in constructing airport runways and highways across Nigeria,” the President said.
He noted that Iwuanyanwu’s passing is a colossal loss, “but his impressive track record of accomplishments, selfless service to humanity, and devotion to God will continue to inspire and remind us of the profound impact he had on our lives.”
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma commended the Southeast Governors for the role they played in pulling resources together to make the burial a very successful one.
He described him as a true nationalist who gave his all, fighting for humanity, Ndigbo, and all Nigerians.
Uzodimma said that the late Chief Iwuanyanwu was a bridge builder and selfless leader whose Glass House in Owerri became a rallying point for politicians in Southeast and across the country.
He said: “For decades, Iwuanyanwu’s home and office in Orji became a pillar of hope. A ceaseless stream of people made the pilgrimage there, seeking guidance and assistance of all kinds. Whether you needed a political appointment, a job opportunity, financial aid, or a simple letter of introduction, your background mattered little to him. What mattered was your need.
“What truly set Iwuanyanwu apart from the crowd was his ability to do extraordinary things in ordinary ways. Despite owning a powerful media organization, he chose not to draw attention to himself, believing that God was using him to improve the lives and the future of millions of Nigerians. He was indeed an exceptionally humble man who believed that his deeds should speak for him.
“From his earliest days as a fledgling engineer, through his ventures with Oriental Airlines, Champion Newspapers, and Iwuanyanwu Nationale, he created livelihoods for countless Nigerians. His more than twenty companies, spanning aviation, sports, media, banking, insurance, real estate engineering, and construction, were practical demonstrations of how to grow the economy of Nigeria and strengthen her unity.
“We in Imo State are immensely proud of this human prodigy whose fame has elevated the visibility of our dear state in no small measure. True to the dictum, “ana esi nulo mara mma puo ama,” which translates to “charity begins at home,” his town, Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government, drank first from his fountain of generosity.
