The Vice-President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South-East, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, has mourned the passing of the President-General of the body, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing him as a man who was truly committed to the Igbo cause.

Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the age of 82, after a brief illness. Before his death, he was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.

In a telephone interview on Friday, Okeke-Ogene described the death as a very big and colossal loss not only to the Ndigbo but to Nigeria in general.

He disclosed that the deceased contributed over 60 per cent to building the Imo airport, adding that he would be missed for his commitment to nation-building and philanthropic gestures.

According to him, Iwuanyanwu, as PG of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stabilised the Ndigbo, adding that the Igbo have lost another great leader in the mood of the great Zik of Africa, late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Odumegwu Ojukwu and the likes.

He said, “It’s a very big and colossal loss to the Ndigbo. He was a man who came to bind the Ndigbo together. He ensured the unity of Igbo and Nigeria. He had the mission to unite all the tribes in the country together. It’s very unfortunate that he did not complete his mission to unite all the tribes in Nigeria.

“His leadership helped to stabilise the Igbo unions all over the world. They looked up to him, and every step he took was applauded. He worked hard to build bridges across every tribe in the country by reaching out to every tribe in the country. He was well-known across the country.

“So, he was a true Nigeria. We will surely miss his great leadership style, and it’s so sad because the late Iwuanyanwu was in the likes of prominent Igbo leaders such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Odumegwu Ojukwu, and others.

“Igbo has lost another great leader, like Zik and Ojukwu. He was committed and dedicated to seeing how best the Ndigbo should be protected and accommodated in Nigeria.

“He was a detribalised Nigerian. If we start talking about what Iwuanyanwu stood for, we will not exhaust it. He was a very generous man. He contributed over 60 per cent to building the Imo airport. He built many structures for his people. He was a man of many parts.

“We want the Ndigbo to emulate his commitment, he was a man well committed to the service of the Ndigbo, he did that during the war, he fought gallantly and he came back to lead the Ndigbo to the Promised Land before his unfortunate death. He was a great leader that followed always found it easy to follow.” (The PUNCH)

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