President Bola Tinubu, former president, Muhammadu Buhari, governors and others, on Thursday, mourned the demise of the President-Basic of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The household confirmed the demise of the elder statesman in an announcement on Thursday night.
It reads: “The Iwuanyanwu household of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Native Authorities Space of Imo State, broadcasts the demise of our patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu – Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a quick sickness. He was aged 82. He was an achieved businessman and notable politician.”
The late businessman owned The Champion Newspapers. His enterprise had additionally grown right into a conglomerate of over 20 firms, together with Enic Promoting Ltd; Magil Industries Restricted; Nationwide Put up Newspapers; Dawn Insurance coverage Brokers; Oriental Transport Strains Restricted; Paradise Metropolis Lodge, Calabar and Oriental Airways.
Iwuanyanwu assumed workplace because the President-Basic of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on April 30, 2023, shortly after the Imeobi Ohanaeze ratified his nomination, following the demise of Prof George Obiozor, his predecessor.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation additionally confirmed his demise by way of the Nationwide Publicity, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo mentioned, “The unhappy information was damaged by Mr Jude Iwuanyanwu, the son of the legend. In keeping with the son, Chief Iwuanyanwu handed on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a quick sickness on the age of 82.”
The Vice-President, South-East, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, described Iwuanyanwu’s demise as” a really huge and collosal loss to the Ndigbo,” saying, “ He was a person who got here to bind the Ndigbo collectively. He ensured the Igbo unity and the unity of Nigeria at coronary heart. He had the mission to unite all of the tribes within the nation collectively. It’s very unlucky that he didn’t full his mission, to unite all of the tribes in Nigeria.”
In a condolence message signed by his Particular Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu condoled with the household, the Imo State authorities, associates and associates of the deceased and the Ndigbo over what he termed irreparable loss.
“The President affirms that Chief Iwuanyanwu will at all times be remembered for his exceptional legacy,” the assertion famous as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman.
Buhari, in an announcement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, prolonged his condolences to the Iwuanyanwu household, associates and associates, and the complete individuals of the South East.
The previous President mentioned, “He was a visionary who revolutionised the nation’s media and sports activities. He made notable strides within the media trade, building, sports activities, enterprise, and politics.
“I had a number of alternatives to work together with him to find out about his passionate dedication to the unity, peaceable coexistence, and the event of Nigeria. His wealthy contributions have left indelible recollections on the media, sports activities, politics, and enterprise the place he made extraordinary achievements.”
The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Discussion board and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the demise of Iwuanyanwu as a profound loss to the nation.
Abiodun, in an announcement on behalf of the southern states governors on Thursday, described the information of the demise of the businessman, writer, and politician as stunning.
He mentioned as President Basic of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo individuals, Iwuanyanwu labored tirelessly to protect the unity of the nation together with his well timed interventions at essential occasions when contentious points had been raging.
“I acquired with shock the information of the demise of the President Basic of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. His passing at this essential time when his counselling as an elder statesman is required is saddening.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu was a exceptional chief, statesman, and patriot who devoted his life to selling the unity, progress, and well-being of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as an entire.
“His contributions to fostering inter-ethnic concord, peaceable co-existence, and mutual understanding between the various peoples of our nation had been enormous. His demise is a profound loss not just for the Igbo nation however for Nigeria as an entire.
“On behalf of the Southern Governors’ Discussion board, I lengthen our heartfelt condolences to the Iwuanyanwu household, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo household, the complete South-East area and Nigeria as an entire.”
Equally, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has mourned Iwuanyanwu, describing him as a “distinguished statesman, notable patriot, famend businessman.”
Soludo, in an announcement by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, mentioned,”Chief Iwuanyanwu was a private mentor, a terrific supporter in addition to an influential determine whose life and clever counsel had been a tribute to distinctive management, patriotism, and steadfast dedication to the progress of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a Nation.
“His contributions to the socio-economic improvement of Nigeria are immeasurable. Because the writer of the Champion Newspapers and proprietor of a number of different companies, his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic endeavours have left a permanent legacy in our nation.”
The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District within the Nationwide Meeting, Senator Victor Umeh, mentioned the Igbo nation was dropping its icons in fast succession.
He listed notable figures like Obiozor, Ogbonnaya Onu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, and Ben Nwabueze, amongst others, as those that had handed on in latest occasions.
Describing Iwuanyanwu’s demise as “a tragic loss,” Umeh mentioned that “he died whereas serving the Igbo nation. The emotion displays the sense of loss felt throughout the Igbo nation on the passing of one other revered chief.”
Senators and members of the Home of Representatives from Abia State lamented the demise of Iwuanyanwu.
The senator representing Abia North on the Nationwide Meeting, Orji Uzor Kalu, expressed unhappiness as he acknowledged the exceptional contributions of the late outstanding businessman and politician, recognized for his vital contributions to numerous sectors, significantly within the social, financial, and political improvement of Nigeria.
He mentioned Iwuanyanwu “lived a purposeful life devoted to the service of humanity.”
Former Senate Minority Chief, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, in his assertion, described Iwuanyanwu as finest amongst equals, stating, “The demise of Dr Iwuanyanwu is a large lack of a consummate Nigerian patriot who was additionally the very best amongst equals in Igbo land.”
In a terse assertion by way of his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, in Abuja, on Thursday, Abaribe mentioned he was saddened by the demise of Iwuanyanwu, significantly right now when he, alongside different patriots, had kick-started an important course of that might enthrone an enduring peace and harmonious relationship in Nigeria, particularly in Igbo land.
He mentioned, “Right here was a patriot, a consummate lover of our individuals and a targeted progressive who was on the forefront of infrastructural revolution within the outdated Imo State and the general improvement of our expensive nation Nigeria.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu was an all-rounder, who by no means glossed over obligations that might be useful to all, regardless of tribe or faith. Thanks for all you probably did for our individuals. We’ll miss your clever counsel and your targeted management of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”
In a press launch from the Workplace of the Deputy Speaker, Home of Representatives, Abuja, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, described the late Ohanaeze chieftain as iroko who has fallen in Igbo land.
Within the assertion by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu likened Iwuanyanwu’s demise to a fallen Iroko tree, including that he contributed immensely to the socio-economic improvement of Nigeria.
Recalling that Iwuanyanwu, by way of his many enterprise institutions, employed many Nigerians, and recognised the patriotic and philanthropic gestures of the deceased, which he exemplified by way of the Iwuanyanwu Nationwide Ambulance that catered for accident victims throughout Nigeria, amongst others.
He additionally recalled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the profitable unveiling of the Peace In South East Challenge in Bende Native Authorities of Abia State in December 2023, saying that his dedication to the peace and unity of Nigeria was unparalleled.
Additionally, the immediate-past senator representing Abia Central and former governor of the state, Chief Orji Kalu, acknowledging the exceptional contributions of the late outstanding businessman and politician, mentioned he was heartbroken.
“I really feel for the household, the state, Ndigbo and Nigeria at giant,” he mentioned in an announcement he signed and launched by his Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere.
The previous governor recognised the contributions made by Iwuanyanwu in politics, enterprise and humanitarian efforts, and prayed to God to offer his soul repose.
A 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, Sam Ohuabunwa, described Iwuanyanwu as a selfless chief who stood for fairness, justice and peaceable co-existence.
“His life and works will stay an inspiration to the current and forthcoming generations on the teachings of tolerance and unity,” he mentioned.
An announcement by the previous President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, a duplicate of which was obtained by The PUNCH, learn: “My group members on the Ohanaeze Council of Igbo Enterprise Leaders and I are significantly pained by the unhappy information of the passage to the good past of Chief Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) right this moment, July 25, 2024. We have now not simply misplaced a trusted and reliable ally, however a superb pal, a real patriot, and a extremely esteemed elder statesman.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu was an exemplary, unpretentious and self-effacing chief; and a first-class gentleman and enterprise mogul…He was a person of peace who shall be remembered for his candour, open-mindedness and civility. His life and works will stay an inspiration to current and forthcoming generations on the teachings of tolerance, unity and peaceable co-existence.”
The management of the Motion for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra mentioned it acquired the information of the demise of Iwuanyanwu, “with a devastative shock.”
Describing Iwuanyanwu as “a religious and devoted Igbo chief,” MASSOB lamented that “Ndigbo shall miss him,” including that “his fatherly efforts and dedication for the discharge of Nnamdi Kanu shall by no means be in useless.”
The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, the umbrella physique of all youth teams in Nigeria, expressed shock on the passing of Iwuanyanwu.
In an announcement signed by its President-Basic and Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Comrades Goodluck Ibem and Junaid Abubakar, respectively, CONYL mentioned, “This information is devastating, painful and an enormous loss to Ndigbo, Nigeria and the world.
“Chief Iwuanyawu was a terrific philanthropist, an engineer of nice reputation, an enigma of types, a trailblazer, an issue solver, a objective getter and a person with an overflowing zeal to be a blessing to his individuals and his technology.”