By TINA TIMOTHY

A body of senior journalists of southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria, known as Izunwanne, has expressed shock over the passing of the President General of the apex Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing him as "a doyen of the newspaper industry in Nigeria.”

In a statement on Thursday, July 25, 2024, signed by its Coordinator, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, the group noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu will be remembered for his role in giving the Igbo people a strong voice with the establishment of Champion Newspaper in 1998, a newspaper that endured the test of time, while training many of the group’s members in the course of their journalism practice.

“IZUNWANNE, a body of senior journalists of southeast geo- political zone of Nigeria, mourns the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a doyen of the newspaper industry in Nigeria.

We were shocked and surprised by the news of his death as we never knew that he was sick.

“Though he died as the President-General of the apex Igbo organisation, OHANAEZE NDIGBO, Chief Iwuanyanwu will be remembered by us for his unassailable role as a leading light in the newspaper industry in Nigeria, with his establishment of CHAMPION newspaper in 1988, a newspaper that became a household name and competed favourably with other prominent national newspapers in Nigeria.

“By the establishment of CHAMPION newspaper, which he located in Lagos, the hub of newspaper industry in the country, Chief Iwuanyanwu gave the Igbo a strong voice as the newspaper endured the test of time. Many members of IZUNWANNE passed through Iwuanyanwu’s newspaper in the course of their journalism practice,” the statement read.

Describing late Iwuanyanwu as a father figure in both journalism and the newspaper industry, Izunwanne condoled with his family, journalists and newspaper industry for the demise of “a quintessential personality.”

“His immense contributions in the development and growth of both journalism and the newspaper industry cannot be overemphasized. He was a father-figure in the industry and left an indelible mark on the sands of time in both journalism and the newspaper world.

“He will sorely be missed.

“We condole with his family, the journalism world, the newspaper business community and indeed the country in general on the passage of this giant, philanthropist, patriot, illustrious Igbo son, astute politician, successful business and newspaper proprietor, well known figure in the construction sector, and a quintessential personality.

“May his soul rest in peace,” the group prayed.