Tag: Iwuanyanwu

Former Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige has said the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, embodied selfless service to humanity, especially his Igbo compatriots.

In a tribute by his media office in Abuja, Ngige described the late businessman and publisher as a peacemaker, bridge-builder, successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and lover of his people. 

Paying glowing tribute to the deceased, the former Anambra State governor said he accepted to serve as the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Skills and Youth Development Committee because of Iwuanyanwu’s passion for his people.

“A lot has been said about Chief Iwuanyanwu but his philanthropy, kind heartedness to all Nigerians, and his courage and love for the Igbo were prodigious.

“His Iwuanyanwu Foundation was always giving and doing good to all persons without discrimination on (the basis of) tribe or religion.

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“It was this love for the Igbo that made him to accept the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide after the demise of another Igbo patriot, Prof. George Obiozor, to pilot the organisation to achieve the original mission of the founding fathers, like Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, Sir Jerome Udoji, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Chief Francis Ellah, Prof. Edozien, Chief Emmanuel Aguma, Dr. Obi Wali, Chief M. N. Ugochukwu, to mention but a few.

“Within months of Chief Iwuanyanwu’s assumption of office, he lifted the organisation to a lofty height, traversing the seven Igbo states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Rivers and Delta. He had quelled and settled internal crises in many chapters in Nigeria, and had also visited overseas formations and restructured Ohanaeze United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (U.S.A), in the diaspora.

“Ohaneze National Executive Committee (NEC) under his leadership had appointed me as the Chairman of Skills and Youth Development Committee, an appointment which I accepted because of Ahaejiagamba, and his passion for our people. The committee had drawn up programmes of action for our people, awaiting endorsement and implementation before his sudden departure.”

An elder statesman and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu will be laid to rest on Friday November 1, 2024 in his home town Atta, Ikeduru LGA of Imo State.

Iwuanyanwu, an Industrialist and business mogul, died  on July 25, 2024 at 81 after a brief illness in a hospital in Abuja.

His body arrived the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport on October 30 to begin the last journey.

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Imo Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru,  who was at the airport to receive the body of the business mogul was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief Of Staff, Government House, Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, Commissioners, and other appointees, including Federal lawmakers, business leaders and traditional rulers among others.

Speaker Chike Olemgbe was at the airport with other members to receive the corpse.

The body would be received by Staff at the Glass House, Orji and later moved to Government House, Owerri before proceeding to Atta for his final resting place.

As the 11th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organisation, Iwuanyanwu played a significant role in national politics. 

His impressive career spanned various fields, including engineering, military service and entrepreneurship with a business empire comprising over 20 companies.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has eulogised the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing him as courageous, defiant of injustice, and uncompromising, with the heart of a gladiator, resolute and indomitable.

The President’s tribute came as the nation prepares for the burial rites of the renowned philanthropist and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who passed away on July 25, 2024 at 81.

Iwuanyanwu was a multifaceted individual, excelling in sports, business, politics, and philanthropy. President Tinubu noted that he was a colossus of many parts, leaving an enduring legacy in various fields.

In the sports arena, he founded the Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, now Heartland F.C., in 1985, which won several national and international championships under his leadership. 

His business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit saw him invest across sectors, showcasing his faith in Nigeria’s potential.

As a seasoned statesman, Iwuanyanwu served the nation in multiple capacities, including as founding chairman of the Raw Materials and Research Development Council and chairman of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. 

He also chaired the Federal Road Maintenance Agency board, the Nigerian National Lottery and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.

 Tinubu commended Iwuanyanwu’s philanthropic efforts, which included providing scholarships to indigent students, building schools and hospitals, and supporting numerous charitable causes. 

His selfless spirit and commitment to serving the nation have left a lasting impact.

The President extended condolences to the Iwuanyanwu family, the government, the people of Imo State, and Ndigbo Gburugburu, praying that God Almighty grants Chief Iwuanyanwu’s soul eternal rest.

“The late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a colossus of many parts. In sports, he was a pioneer; in business, he was ingenious and resourceful; in politics, he was astute; and in philanthropy, he was relentless. 

“The late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo served the nation in many official capacities. He was the founding chairman of the Raw Materials and Research Development Council (RMRDC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) chairman. 

“He also served as chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) board, founding chairman of the Nigerian National Lottery, and chairman of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi. 

“I mourn the passing of this illustrious son of Nigeria.  

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was courageous, defiant of injustice, and uncompromising. He had the heart of a gladiator, resolute and indomitable. 

“I recall his sports exploits with the Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, now Heartland F.C., which he founded in 1985. Thanks to his acclaimed facility for excellence, the club won several national and international championships. He was a significant factor in Nigeria’s sports development.  

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was enterprising. He believed in Nigeria’s human and material abundance and fecundity, and his investments across sectors and the nation attest to this.  

“The late elder statesman lived a life of service. With his wealth, he served his people and the nation, providing scholarships to indigent students, building schools and hospitals, and supporting many charitable causes. 

“The passing of Chief Iwuanyanwu on July 25, 2024, is a massive loss to the nation. Though he lived to the advanced age of 81, his counsel and stabilising quality will be sorely missed. 

“I commiserate with the Iwuanyanwu family, the government, the people of Imo State, and Ndigbo Gburugburu as the burial rites of Chief Iwuanyanwu begin in a few days. 

“His life and remarkable accomplishments will always be remembered, and may God Almighty grant his soul eternal rest,” he said. 

 The late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanual Iwuanyanwu is to be buried on Nov. 1.

The national burial committee announced this in Abuja shortly after its inauguration by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo .

The inauguration which held on Tuesday in Abuja had South-East stakeholders including serving and no-serving senators as members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Iwuanyanwu, a business man, politician and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to various sectors of the country died on July 25.

Briefing newsmen after the constitution of the committee, Uzodinma who is also the Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, said that the committee was set up to give the late President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo a befitting burial.

“The national committee for the burial of our great leader, Iwuanyanwu, the immediate past President-General of Ndigbo has been constituted.

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“The whole idea is to give him a very befitting burial that his status deserves,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Ben Obi announced that the late Iwuanyanwu would be buried on Nov. 1.

He described the late Ndigbo leader as a global citizen, adding that in every aspect of human endeavours, the late Iwuanyanwu excelled.

“The sacrifices he committed to the Igbo nation is something that is admirable by all of us and it is our decision as a people in collaboration with other associations like Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum, Arewa consultative Forum to make sure that we give him a befitting burial.

“And we are grateful that Uzodinma has made it available for us to meet.

“They have agreed with the Primate of Anglican Church that he will be buried in Nov. 1. We will ensure a befitting burial,” Obi said.

He appreciated the support of the Imo governor and other governors in the South-East saying that “they have given us confidence that this committee will be given all the necessary support.”(NAN)

Southeast governors should immortalise the late President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an insurance practitioner, Okenze Felix Amadi, has said.

He said the Igbo leader, who died on July 10 at 82, should also be given a befitting burial, after which landmarks should be named in commemoration of his contributions.

Amadi, an award-winning author, said Iwuanyanwu was an icon who dedicated his life to the service of the nation and would be greatly missed.

He said Iwuanyanwu’s entrepreneurial skill and business acumen were exemplary as could be seen in his management of Hardel and Enic, a leading indigenous construction company; Oriental Airline, Champion Newspapers, Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, among others.

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Amadi said Iwuanyanwu was also a politician of note, having aspired for president under the National Republican Conversation (NRC), among others.

“He worked assiduously for the harmonious coexistence of the many ethnic nationalities of Nigeria.

“More importantly, Iwuanyanwu wisely campaigned for the fair treatment of Igbos living in the various geopolitical zones of the country,” he said.

United Stares based- lawyer and public affairs commentator, Chief Owolabi Salis, has mourned Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

  In a tribute, he described the departed Igbo-born industrialist as a great patriot, who  contributed to the development of sports and journalism, through his Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Champion.

 Salis, in a statement,  renewed his appeal to President Bola Tinubu to hearken to plea of Ndigboe elders, and  Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for release of  its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. 

  The lawyer-politician, who in 2019 contested for Lagos State governor on the platform of Alliance for Democracy and who holds the title of Oyeama Ndigbo Gburugburu of Etiti Mgboko, Abia State said his call was necessary in view of persistent pleas by the  late  Iwuanyanwu, for Kanu’s release, coupled with concern being over his health. 

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“This is why I am once again calling on the President to grant an amnesty for release of the IPOB leader.”

  “The argument that his case was complicated by court procedures doesn’t hold.  If the President is interested in his release, he will be. Kanu, to me, is a freedom fighter and if other freedom fighters are walking free, equity demands he should be too. Yoruba spirituality demands on all true Yoruba people to demonstrate fairness and equity. 

 ‘’And I beg Mr. President to follow the Yoruba spiritual order”. Kanu could be requested to sign an “affidavit of good behaviour” towards ensuring peace in Igboland and Nigeria. I believe he will be willing to do that.

“We are tired of seeing igbo killing one another in igboland. This has gotten out of hand” – Salis lamented. 

 “We will not like the young man to die in detention,as that might trigger a chain of reactions,the end of which no one can fore-tell,apart from casting a big slur on the democratic and human right credentials of the incumbent government in power”,said the popularly acclaimed social critic. 

Citing the Ghana precedent,Salis recalled that the indefinite detention of Dr. J.B. Danquah,the renowned Asante-born prince,lawyer and intellectual,by Nkrumah,leading to his death after about a spell of five years in detention,turned out to be the irreversible nemesis that accelerated the disastrous exit of the great Ghanaian ruler from power,under the volatile agitation of the irrepressible warlike Asante kith and kin of the great Ghanaian Lawyer and intellectual,in a resistance, unprecedented as second to none,in the annals of political opposition in world history.  

  He stated that Tinubu’s release of Kanu without further delay, will be in keeping with the president’s antecedent as a patriot who along with like-minds struggled valiantly for democratic liberty in Nigeria, during the era of military rulership.  And  his (Tinubu) tenure as governor of Lagos State, through his several litigations against the incumbent federal powers,which went a long way in defining and upholding the rule of law in diverse aspects that were critical to effective operation of a political federation as embodied in the Nigerian experience. 

  “I am making this plea,not just in my capacity as a titled High Chief of Igboland,but more importantly in accordance with the universal value of justice, equity, and fairness,which are generally accepted canons of modern liberal democracy”, said the Ikorodu-born Lagosian and activist-politician “

 ‘’I wish to believe that by now,Kanu would have undergone repeated moments of sober reflections,which in turn would have mellowed his fanatical overzealous temper for a matured lease of level headedness,said Salis.   

He implored the Igbo to shed every lingering vestige of the Biafran syndrome and rather key into the edifying vision of a united,virile, prosperous and greater Nigerian federation.   

While lauding the Igbo for their numerous sterling qualities,which according to him are unique and uncommon,he urged that those qualities are essentially maximized within a larger Nigerian framework,just as he also called on other non-Igbo Nigerians to embrace their Igbo brothers where-ever their paths crossed,he Said,adding that it is by so doing that the ugly specter of the Biafran experience could be said to have been banished. We have to forgive andforget”.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide says there is no leadership tussle in the group following the recent death of its former President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo socio-cultural group, disclosed this on Friday in Enugu, stressing that such speculation by a section of the media was untrue.

“There is no leadership row or tussle in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide at present and there is not likely to be one in the near future,” Ogbonnia said.

He said the group’s National Executive Committee (NEC), comprising erudite scholars, technocrats and veterans of diverse fields, was already seamlessly carrying out the functions of the umbrella body of the organisation.

“This is being done seamlessly on a daily basis by the appropriate structures under the administrative competence of the Secretary General, Amb. Okey Emuchay.

“Iwuanyanwu passed quietly on July 25 and it is very ill-advised and strange for an Igbo to begin to claim the position of the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, even when the burial committee for Iwuanyanwu is yet to be constituted.

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“There is a letter in circulation that Dr Jackson Omenazu was nominated or selected to replace late Joel Kroham, who until his death was the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“However, such a letter was not made available to the NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” he said.

Ogbonnia added that it would be insensitive and inconceivable for the NEC to adopt a replacement of Kroham based on a mere letter from Rivers State.

This, he said, was especially so where many of them were very ambivalent and “skeptical about their Igboness”.

He stressed that Omenazu had all the right to pursue his interest as the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo come January, 2025 without bringing Ohanaeze Ndigbo to disrepute. (NAN)