More Nigerians have continued to express their grief over the passing of Chief Emmanuel Chuwkuemeka Iwuanyanwu whose death was announced earlier in the day (today, Thursday, July 25) by the family.
Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo died this morning at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.
He was 81 (would have been 82 on September 4 this year.)
Among the latest to react to Iwuanyanwu’s death are former President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, former Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe, Deputy Speake of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyom Josephine Anenih, among others.
Iwuanyanwu’s rich contributions have left indelible marks on media, sports, politics, business –Buhari
In his reaction, former President Muhammadu Buhari described the passing of the President-General of the Ohanaeze Igbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as a sad event for Nigeria.
He noted that the late statesman’s rich contributions have left indelible memories on the media, sports, politics, and business where he made extraordinary achievements.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari highlighted the latter’s contributions to journalism, sports, politics and nation-building.
“He was a visionary who revolutionized the nation’s media and sports. He made notable strides in the media industry, construction, sports, business, and politics.
“I had several opportunities to interact with him to know about his passionate commitment to the unity, peaceful coexistence, and the development of Nigeria.
“His rich contributions have left indelible memories on the media, sports, politics, and business where he made extraordinary achievements.
“My condolences to his family, friends and associates, and the entire people of the South-east. His death is a loss to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the former president said.
A great Iroko has fallen — Gov Mbah
In his own condolence message, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, expressed his ‘deep grief’ over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing the development as the fall of a great iroko and an incalculable loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
According to Mbah, Iwuanyanwu was unapologetically Igbo, yet a consummate nationalist and quintessential statesman, who gave his all-in service to the nation and to the Igbo.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident this morning (Thursday, July 25), he said: “I received with a deep of grief the shocking news of the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an icon, pan Nigerian, national colossus, and an absolute patriot, who gave his all for the peace and progress of Ndigbo and Nigeria.
“Ahaejiagamba, as he was popularly known, took up the mantle of leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at a very difficult time, and acquitted himself most creditably as a courageous leader, whose vision was to chart a new roadmap for Igbo renaissance in the Nigerian commonwealth.
“He was an erudite scholar, researcher, media entrepreneur, sports enthusiast and financier, business mogul with interest in many critical sectors of the nation’s economy, and indeed a philanthropist.
“His politics was no less remarkable. His views were candid and unpretentious, but never divisive. His maturity shone brightly, as he often sought to build bridges.
“Indeed, Chief Iwuanyanwu, a pan Africanist, would be missed by not only Ndigbo and Nigeria, but Africa as a whole.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I offer my condolences to his family and pray that God comforts and grants them as well as the Government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo, and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Rest in peace, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.”
Iwuanyanwu was a heavyweight in all dimensions –Abaribe
For his part, former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe described the death of Chief Iwuanyanwu as a huge loss of a consummate Nigerian patriot who was also intellectually, financially, politically, culturally and socially a heavyweight in Igbo land and the whole of Nigeria.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, in Abuja, this evening (Thursday, July 25), Abaribe said he was saddened by the death of Iwuanyanwu, particularly at this time when he alongside other patriots have kick-started a crucial process that would enthrone a lasting peace and harmonious relationship in Nigeria, especially in Igbo land.
“Here was a patriot, a consummate lover of our people and a focused progressive who was at the forefront of infrastructural revolution in the Old Imo State and the overall development of our dear country Nigeria,” Abaribe declared, adding that “Chief Iwuanyanwu was an all rounder, who never glossed over responsibilities that would be beneficial to all irrespective of tribe or religion.”
Thank you for all you did for our people. We will miss your wise counsel and your focused leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” Abaribe surmised, while condoling with the family, Ndigbo, government and people of Imo State and Nigeria at large.
A great tree has fallen: Farewell Ahaejiagamba –Josephine Anenih
Similarly, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyom Josephine Anenih, mourned the demise of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, saying she was deeply saddened to mourn the passing of Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba), “a revered elder statesman and an iconic Igbo leader, whose passing has left an unfillable void in our hearts and a lasting impact on the very fabric of our Igbo community.”
The President General Nkata Ndị Inyom Igbo, also said Iwuanyanwu’s impact on Ohanaézè Ndigbo and beyond couldn’t be overstated.
“As the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, he tirelessly championed the cause of our people, advocating for unity, progress, and justice. His leadership was marked by wisdom, resilience, and unwavering commitment. He played a pivotal role in shaping policies and advocating for sustainable development, understanding that true leadership transcends titles and extends to selfless service,” Iyom. Anenih said in a statement released this evening (Thursday, July 25).
“Throughout his life, Chief Iwuanyanwu wore many hats: a political leader, philanthropist, bridge-builder, and voice for the marginalized. His dedication to empowering women, youth, and the elderly was evident in his actions, consistently working to uplift those often overlooked.
“In this moment of grief, I remember Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a beacon of hope, a man who stood firm in his convictions, and a tireless advocate for democracy, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. As a leader and fellow servant of our people, I will deeply miss his counsel, wisdom, and unwavering support, but take comfort in knowing that his impact will continue to shape our nation, inspiring us to strive for excellence in service to our people, and may his soul rest in peace, with his memory serving as a guiding light for all of us.”
Iwuanyanwu’s death fall of an iroko tree — Deputy Speaker Kalu
In his own reaction, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, expressed shock at the death of the President -General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Livinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu likened Iwuanyanwu’s death to the fall of an Iroko tree, noting that the departed statesman, in his life time, contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
The Deputy Speaker recalled that Iwuanyanwu, through his many business establishments, provided employments for many Nigerians.
Kalu also recognized the patriotic and philanthropic gestures of Chief Iwuanyanwu which he exemplified through the Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance that catered for accident victims all over Nigeria, amongst others.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State also lauded the leadership style of Chief Iwuanyanwu at Ohanaeze Ndigbo aimed at uniting and promoting the sociopolitical wellbeing of the people of the Southeast.
The Deputy Speaker, while recalling the late Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the successful unveiling of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) in Bende, Abia State, last December, stated that his commitment to the peace and unity of Igboland and the country as a whole was unparalleled.
“It’s sad news for the people of the southeastern region because Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu remained one of the brightest stars from the region, who actually proved himself in business, political leadership and community leadership,” the lawmaker stated.
“Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a great champion, who also designed a platform for the voice of Nigerians, especially the Igbos, to be heard using this Champion newspapers.
“He was a man of many parts. A man with so many responsibilities which he discharged very well, and I was close to him in the later part of his life. He paid me a visit just a couple of months ago to congratulate me as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“And one of his requests was for me to work hard alongside the members of the parliament to ensure that their age old dream of having a development agency known as Southeast Development Commission become a thing that would materialize in his lifetime.
“You’ll be shocked to hear that once the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria assented to that bill, he was the first that I called to share the news with. But he was in coma. It was his wife that answered and told me that “Chief is in coma.”
“And a day after the assent to his long desire, he passed on. That is to show that he truly, truly loved the Igbo race. We will celebrate him.
“Nigeria is going to miss an entrepreneur who was not afraid to invest in Nigeria while people are carrying their funds and depositing them in foreign accounts, Chief Iwuanyanwu was busy investing in Nigeria and creating jobs to reduce the unemployment queue. That is what we are going to miss. We are going to miss an institution of our history, a man who will tell you the history of Nigeria, especially our southeastern experience from beginning to end.
“We have lost that value that he used to bring when we gather to teach the younger ones where we are coming from and where we need to get. So, those are many more, his philanthropic gestures to Nigerians are going to be missed because he was a selfless man who shared all that he had. So that is what Nigeria is going to miss with his person.”
Iwuanyanwu’s death loss of an icon – APC
In its own reaction, the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed shock over the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party described the death of the business mogul as loss of an icon, elder-statesman and highly distinguished Nigerian.
“It is with shock and sadness that the APC received the news of the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,” the statement by Morka read, in part.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, the government and people of Imo State and Ndigbo, at home and around the world, on the loss of this icon, elder-statesman and highly distinguished Nigerian. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
