It was an evening of glowing tributes yesterday, Wednesday, October 16 in Lagos, as elder statesmen, politicians, professionals, business giants, academics, activists, friends and well-wishers gathered to eulogise the life and legacy of the late President-General, Ohanaeze- Ndigbo, World-wide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo)
The ceremony which was the Service of Songs/Night of tributes kicked off the burial programme for the late business mogul who died on Thursday July 25, 2024, after a brief illness, aged 82.
It was a gathering of creme de la creme of the society that included Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Lagos State Govrrnor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Chief Segun Osoba, Prof Anya O.Anya, Çhíef Isaac Ojo, Justice Faloye, Çhíef Supo Shonibare, Dr Alexander Okafor, General Umahi rtd, Chief Chike Madueke, Otunba Gani Adams among numerous others.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the late Iwuanyanwu as a champion of unity, a man with boundless energy, noting that the late Chief Iwuanyanwu advocated not only for Ndigbo but beyond, as he stood for justice.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu’s life was filled with purpose. He was an extraordinary Nigerian, a man with boundless energy,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“In every role he undertook, he left excellence. A champion of unity and one that advocated not only for Ndigbo but for the good of all groups in the country.
“He believed in unity in diversity and left a legacy of integrity, nation-building and compassion.”
For elder statesman and former secretary-general Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the late business mogul was a true Nigerian, a true professional and a devoted leader of his people.
He described the late Chief Iwuanyanwu as an unquestionable Nigerian, true icon and an astute businessman.
Anyaoku noted further: “He was a nationalist of two nations. One previous nation was the nation of Biafra, where we all fought. It belonged to the core of army engineers who were doing the good work.
“I must say that we belonged to that nation then, but now we are Nigerians. Those who tested the war will never prefer another war. That was why he laboured for the unity of Nigeria.
“Yes, he laboured for it, and we want one Nigeria, one united Nigeria. Where nobody is oppressed. Why you have agitation now is because people are still being oppressed. People are being marginalised. There is law, the law of the nation is not to be breached, and there is inequity, and inequality in the land. That’s why somebody went to London to submit a letter recently”.
Also his eminence Samuel Kalu Uche, Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, while extolling the virtues of late Iwuanyanwu, called President Bola Tinubu to see to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader, IPOB.
He said it would have been the joy of late Iwuanyanwu to see that Mazi Kanu was released while alive.
He said Iwuanyanwu laboured for the unity of Nigeria and was a detribalised Nigerian through and through.
“The late Iwuanyanwu desired a Nigeria where no one is oppressed, marginalised or treated unequally. For Nigeria to be united and have peace, release Nnamdi Kanu,” the cleric appealed.
He lamented further: “They still kept Nnamdi Kanu. How can we accept that? Iwuanyanwu wished that Nnamdi Kanu would be freed before he died. But it didn’t happen.
“Let me use this tribute to say to our leader, the president, that for Nigeria to be united and have peace. let him please release Nnamdi Kanu.”
For his part, Senator Ben Obi described the late Chief Iwuanynwu as a man of many parts and a source of inspiration who believed in fairness and justice for Nigeria.
For Sam Ohuabunwa, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to Nigeria are vast and varied.
“We are celebrating the life and legacy of a true statesman, a man whose dedication to the service of our nation will be remembered for generations to come,” the frontline pharmacist said.
Otunba Gani Adams in a statement described Chief Iwuanyanwu as a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration and a guiding light for many.
“Iwuanyanwu was more than just a political leader, a business leader, he was a man who believed in Nigeria anchored on equity, justice, fairness and accountability,” the Onakakanfo of Yorubaland said.
Going by the burial programme, another evening of tributes is expected to be held in Abuja tomorrow, Friday, October 18.
There will be another day of tributes in Enugu on Saturday, October 26, and a service of songs in his country home, Umuohii Atta Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, on October 29.
Iwuanyanwu’s burial is slated for November 1, 2024, in Umuohii Atta, his country home.
Chief Iwuanyanwu was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.
He is survived by his wife Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren, including Dr Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Managing Director, Champion Group of Newspapers.
