Nigerians from all walks of life have been reacting to the news of the demise of the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Leading the pack is President Bola Tinubu who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who passed on Thursday at the age of 82 at the Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after a brief illness.
President Tinubu in a message of condolence conveyed by his Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, described the late business tycoon as an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
The president condoled with the Imo State government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndigbo over this irreparable loss, and affirmed that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.
In the same vein, the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has expressed deep grief over the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing it as the fall of a great iroko and an incalculable loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
Mbah stated that Iwuanyanwu was unapologetically Igbo, yet a consummate nationalist and quintessential statesman, who gave his all in service to the nation and the Igbo race.
“I received with deep 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 road map 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.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said it received the news of the death of its President General with shock.
In a statement, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide described his death as a rude shock and sorrow.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide received the sad news of the passing of one of the most outstanding Igbo leaders, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, CFR, OFR, MFR, GCSI, FNSE, FNIST, FNICE, KSC (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu assumed office as the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on April 30, 2023. He was the ninth leader of the Igbo group since its inception in 1976. Evidently, each leader or President General has one remarkable or distinctive characteristic for which he is often remembered. While other past leaders had limited their perspectives on Nigerian contemporary issues, Ahaejiagamba introduced a strategic and visionary dimension to the modus operandi of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” Ohanaeze said in the statement.
