By Olusegun Olanrewaju, Cross Udo and Cajetan Mmuta
President Bola Tinubu led other high-profile leaders, as well as former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the spiritual and temporal, to mourn the death of the President-General (PG)/leader of the apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who yesterday died at age 82.
The elder statesman’s demise was communicated via a statement by one of his sons, Jide Iwuanyanwu.
Jide, in the statement, said the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died after a brief illness.
He stated, “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr (Chief) Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.”
Jide added, “Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82.
‘’Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and President of the Owerri Peoples Assembly.”
‘’Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children, and grandchildren.’’
The statement added that the burial details of the late elder statesman would be announced by the family later, ‘’after due consultations’’.
It further stated, ‘’The late Iwuanyanwu was born on September 4, 1942, to Pa Bernard Iwuanyanwu and Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
‘’He was a Nigerian politician and businessman, considered one of the richest Igbo men in the country.
‘’He emerged as the 11th President-General of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation on April 20, 2023. Iwuanyanwu succeeded George Obiozor who led the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for two years, but died on December 29, 2022.
Condolences: President Tinubu
Among those to announce their mourning or condolences, in the early instances, were President Tinubu who, in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, extended ‘’his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday’’.
In a State House release entitled, ‘President Tinubu Mourns Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’, Tinubu giving a short biography of the deceased, said ‘’President Tinubu condoles with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndi Igbo over this irreparable loss.’’
The release added, ‘’The President affirms that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.
‘’President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort to his family.’’
Buhari
Also, former President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said that the passing away of Iwuanyanwu is a sad event for Nigeria.
The ex-resident highlighted Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to journalism, sports, politics and nation-building.
A statement issued on behalf of the former president by his former media aide, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying, “He was a visionary who revolutionised 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 learn 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.”
Governors, others
Also commiserating with the late Iwuanyanwu’s family, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the death of the Ohanaeze leader, as a profound loss to the nation.
In a statement yesterday, Abiodun described the news of the death of the businessman, publisher, and politician as shocking.
The late businessman, in his lifetime, owned The Champion Newspapers.
His business had also grown into a conglomerate of over 20 companies, including Enic Advertising Ltd; Magil Industries Limited; National Post Newspapers; Sunrise Insurance Brokers; Oriental Shipping Lines Limited; Paradise City Hotel, Calabar, and Oriental Airlines.
Former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, described Iwuanyanwu’s death as a disaster to the Igbo nation.
On their part, Igbo women eulogised that the demise amounted to a huge loss.
Orji, a former chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, described Iwuanyanwu’s death as ‘’a big disaster and colossal loss to the Igbo nation”.
According to him, ‘’Iwuanyanwu sacrificed so much in the advancement of Igbo cause, but regrettably, he died at a time his fatherly counsels are most needed.’’
Describing the deceased as a personal friend, the former Abia State governor said he was highly devastated by the news of the departure of the late Ohanaeze leader.
Orji’s mournful renditions were contained in a statement by his former chief liaison officer, Ifeanyi Umere, who also expressed sadness at the loss of other Igbo leaders in recent times.
Condoling with the family, Orji added that Iwuanyanwu would always be remembered for his patriotism, sacrificial leadership and passion for the Igbo cause.
On their part, Igbo women, who also reacted under their flag, Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a huge loss to Ndigbo.
IWA National President, Nneka Chimezie, said the death of Iwuanyanwu, would continue to be felt among the Igbo nation.
She regretted that his death must have been triggered by a long trek he was subjected to when he visited the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Nnamdi Kanu, recently in Abuja.
According to her, pleas by the Ohanaeze Leader to be driven closer to Kanu’s detention cell due to his civil war leg injury was turned down by security agents, hence he decided to trek a long distance in his passion to see Kanu.
She further regretted that the Nigerian state had continued to humiliate the Igbo nation, ‘’despite the innumerable contributions and sacrifices of the tribe to the development of the country.’’
Initial anxiety over death report
When the news of Iwuanyanwu broke, anxiety heightened amongst top government officials, elders and leaders across the South-East geo-political zone.
Reports had that Iwuanyanwu, an elder statesman, engineer and publisher of Champion Newspaper, died in the early hours of yesterday after a brief illness.
It was not clear as of the time of this report whether he died at his Orji residence in Owerri, Imo State, or elsewhere.
A highly-placed source close to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and who craved anonymity had confirmed the death of the octogenarian.
According to the source, “It could be true, and it could not be true; but we are waiting for an official statement either from the Imo State government, or the Iwuanyanwu family.
The death of Chief Iwuanyanwu is a great loss to the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, and the entire Igbo race.’
“His death is a profound loss not only for the Igbo nation but Nigeria as a whole.
“Chief Nwuanyanwu’s legacy of selfless service, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our dear country will forever be remembered and celebrated.
“On behalf of the Southern Governors’ Forum, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Nwuanyanwu family, the Ohaneze Ndigbo family, the entire South-East region and Nigeria as a whole.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may God grant his loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Once again, we mourn with you and pray that the Almighty God will console and comfort the South-East region during this difficult time.”
Life
Iwuanyanwu played an active role in the country’s political space as a presidential aspirant of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He was also a rallying point since his emergence as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, shortly after the death of Prof. George Obiozor.
Iwuanyanwu was reputed for his chain of businesses, a renowned sports enthusiast and owner of then Iwuanyanwu Football Club, Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Oriental Lines and several industries and companies that litter the country.
Yet others who reacted are former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, who described the death as a colossal loss to the family and the nation at large, especially the Igbo.
He added that the nation needed Iwuanyanwu’s wealth of experience now to wriggle out of her current socio-economic and political quagmire.
