By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
In the penultimate week, families, friends, business and political associates, religious sects, captains of industry, media managers, transporters, citizens, and residents of Imo, Anambra, and the other three states in the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria, and by extension, the entire nation and the global community converged on the Attach community in Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.
The moment was sober as they gathered to bid bye to one of the country’s prominent sons, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), renowned entrepreneur per excellence, industrialist, engineer, transporter, chairman and Publisher of Champions Newspapers Limited, and President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
Among the eminent personalities in attendance at his Attach country home to pay him their last respect were President Bola Tinubu, former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi.
Other distinguished attendees included Abia State Governor Alex Otti, his Enugu State counterpart Peter Mbah, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
Senator Sam Anyanwu, Emeka Ihedioha, former governors of Imo state Chief Achike Udenwa, and Rochas Okorocha.
Also, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other prominent figures were included.
Senator George Akume, President Tinubu’s representative and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, described Iwuanyanwu as a “True hero, visionary leader, and committed nationalist.”
While highlighting Iwuanyanwu’s dedication to nation-building, the President noted that he fostered unity and supported the disadvantaged.
The funeral service of the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew in Atta, Ikeduru LGA.
Widely respected as a businessman, philanthropist, and Igbo leader, the political sage was praised by mourners as a champion of unity and an advocate for both the Igbo community and national development.
President Tinubu honoured his memory, calling his passing “a colossal loss to the nation” and extended condolences to the family.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, lauded Iwuanyanwu as “a trailblazer” with significant achievements in business, politics, and social welfare, noting his unwavering commitment to justice and equity.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the South-East governors for their support in organising the state funeral.
Reflecting on Iwuanyanwu’s impact, Uzodimma announced renaming the state’s new International Conference Centre in his honour, stating, “He envisioned a united Nigeria where all tribes could thrive in peace.”
In a sermon titled “Serving the Purpose of God in Our Generation,” the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, called on leaders to live selflessly and work for the nation’s welfare.
He urged President Tinubu to convene a national conference to boldly create a new, people-focused constitution and address the country’s challenges.
“This is a time for us to support one another,” he said, emphasising the importance of unity among the Igbo in selecting their next leader.
In his vote of thanks, Iwuanyanwu’s eldest son, Jidechukwu, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, particularly the President and South-East governors, for honouring his father’s memory. “My father was a man of great achievements, guided always by his faith in God,” he shared.
Recall that Iwuanyanwu, an elder statesman and guru in Nigeria’s sports arena for several decades, died in the early hours of Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the age of 82.
His death, to millions of Ndigbo in the South East geo-political zone and in the Diaspora, Nigeria, and the global community, is a significant loss that cannot be filled.
Most importantly, like the most valuable and proverbial Iroko tree, Iwuanyanwu’s demise, as indelible as it remains, was a mystery and tragedy to the great many who drew from his shade, succour, and shielded under them in various respects.
It is no wonder, therefore, the saying that when an Iroko tree falls, the birds disperse or scatter in different directions. But Iwuanyanwu remains the epitome and a rallying point even in death, considering his years of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, humanity, and even in his businesses and his passionate leadership acumen.
Undoubtedly, he was a man of many parts and meant many things to many people who came in contact with him and whom he had diversely touched tremendously in society while alive.
Iwuanyanwu was an astute politician and seasoned industrialist, a pillar of sports as a proprietor of Iwuanyanwu National Football Club, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Hardel and Enic Construction Company, and many more.
His political sagacity, philanthropy, and patriotism knew no bounds.
His foray into politics, laced with his uncommon calmness, forthrightness, comportment, and maturity, stood him out for attention by both civilian and military governments for support during his lifetime.
During the Fourth Republic, Iwuanyanwu was a crucial player in the then All Peoples Party (APP) and later the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His strong desire to unite all segments of Nigeria’s population, reposition the country, and bring meaningful development to the polity compelled him to enter the race for the Presidency, but that ambition was nullified at the APP’s convention in Kaduna.
Indeed, he was a symbol of politics without bitterness and demonstrated an unquantifiable zeal for the nation’s growth and peace as Pan-Nigeria without proof of canniness and parochial interest.
Iwuanyanwu had a massive influence on the country and Africa’s sports sector. His Iwuanyanwu National Football Club debuted in national and continental tournaments. The club produced some of the nation’s popular football players, who made the country proud at international levels.
Kanu Nwankwo, the legendary U-17 team star and later captain of the nation’s Super Eagles, which won the 1996 Olympics Gold medal, is outstanding in this regard.
Iwuanyanwu’s impressive mark in the country’s media industry was exceptional in providing empowerment and career opportunities for young Nigerian journalists from different backgrounds.
Ndigbo lost immensely in the demise of Iwuanyanwu as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, given his leadership, charisma, and role within the short period he held sway.
Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo mapped out a deliberate but all-encompassing development agenda for the geo-political zone in education, health, agriculture, power, security, infrastructure, etc. To realize the set goals, he set up various committees headed by individuals with expert experience.
He carried out his duties with diligence, vision, and mission. Before his death, the Ohanaeze Chief traversed all sections of the nation to make peace, douse tensions, and make peace where necessary. He also ensured that Igbo businessmen, wherever they were, lived well with their hosts.
It is on record that during Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s brief tenure as PG of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the South East geo-political zone recorded a more vital cohesive spirit and made resounding marks that sent signals at the centre. This is aside from the worrisome agitation by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) and the loud call for the release of the group’s detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under Ahaejiagamba, mounted pressure on deaf ears for former President Muhammadu Buhari to release Kanu. The Clarion call for Mazi Kanu’s let off the hook of the federal government was reiterated, and action was taken through a visit with a delegation led by Chief Iwuanyanwu to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a plea for Kanu’s release.
Instructively and finally, too, Iwuanyanwu, before he bowed to the call to return to his creator, was instrumental in pioneering the restraint by Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora not to participate in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
The question on the lips of many at the moment is the best choice to wear the big shoe and fill the gap left behind by the exit of Iwuanyanwu, who will articulate, galvanise and serve as a rallying point for Ndigbo. This has become necessary when Igbo and Ndigbo, in general, still need a leader in their quest to the Promised Land.
