Fayemi, Otti: Iwuanyanwu’s death a huge loss for Ndigbo

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, has mourned the death of Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday after a brief illness. He was 81 years old.

NAN reports that Ahmad Sajoh, head of the Fayemi media office, in a statement on Friday, quoted the former governor as saying, “Iwuanyanwu is a venerable elder statesman who devoted his life to serving his people and advancing development causes in Nigeria”.

“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and a distinguished elder statesman,” the statement reads.

“On behalf of myself and my family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Iwuanyanwu family, the people of Imo State, and the entire Igbo nation.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political landscape were immense and far-reaching.

“As a renowned entrepreneur, he created opportunities for countless Nigerians through his various business ventures.

“His passion for sports, exemplified by the Iwuanyanwu Football Club, and his commitment to journalism through the Daily Champions newspaper, demonstrated his belief in nurturing talent and fostering public discourse.

“In his role as the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Iwuanyanwu worked tirelessly to promote unity and advance the interests of the Igbo people while also advocating for a more cohesive and equitable Nigeria. 

“His wisdom, diplomacy, and dedication to national unity will be sorely missed, especially in these challenging times.

“As we mourn the loss of this great Nigerian, let us also celebrate his remarkable life and legacy. Chief Iwuanyanwu’s journey from a young civil engineering graduate to a respected national leader is an inspiration to us all.

“His life reminds us of the power of vision, hard work, and commitment to community.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may his family find comfort in the knowledge that he lived a life of purpose and left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.”

Also, Alex Otti, governor of Abia, described Iwuanyanwu’s death as “a great loss to Ndigbo and the nation at large.”

In a statement on Friday, Njoku Ukoha, Otti’s chief press secretary, said the governor received the news of Iwuanyanwu’s demise with “shock and a heavy heart”.

He lauded the late Iwuanyanwu as “a great patriot, ardent supporter of his people, successful leader, and an exemplary professional and businessman”.

“On behalf of the government and people of Abia, I extend my condolences to the family of the elder statesman, the Imo Government, the South-East, the Igbo nation worldwide, and the entire country,” Otti said.