By Jude Onyenedogha
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Saturday, at the Enugu State Old Government House, during the Service of Songs and tribute, made an emotional tribute to the late President of Ohanaez Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who he said, was as father figure to the entire Imolites.
According to a Press Statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Charles Uzopuo, Governor Uzodimma, who was represented by his Deputy, Lady (Dr.) Chinyere Ekomaru, enthused that late Chief Iwuanyanwu was a man the entire people of Imo state saw as a father because of the immense love and care he extended to all Imolites, Ndigbo and all Nigerians without any discrimination.
“His passion for the development of Imo State and the entire Alaigbo was second to none. His calls and efforts for a better Nigeria was sincere and without ethnic colouration.
“He achieved a lot in his life endeavours and flourished in multiple careers as an Engineer, Business man, Industrialist, Publisher, Politician and leader of repute.
“He built industries, owned chains of businesses (even in aviation industry), employed people and was at a time, the biggest employer of labour in Igbo land. He was a philanthropist, who touched the lives of many. We will dearly miss him as the shoe he left behind is too big for any of us to quickly put his legs.
“Ahaejiagamba was also a great sports enthusiast, formed and single-handedly sponsored the Imo darling football club, the Iwuanyanwu Nationale, now Heartland Football Club of Owerri”.
Also speaking, was the Governor of Enugu state, Mr. Peter Mbah, who saw Chief Iwuanyanwu as a great Iroko tree, whose fall has caused a rumble in his community, with ripple effects across Igbo land and beyond.
The widow of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigerian’s First Republic President, Prof. Uche Azikiwe and the former Minister of Women Affairs, who is also the President-General of Iyom Ndigbo, Iyom Josephine Aninih, in their separate tributes described late Chief Iwuanyanwu as a rare gem who relentlessly fought for Igbos and craved peace and development of Igbo land and Nigeria at large. They encouraged Igbos, especially, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, to continue to seek for that lasting peace for Ndigbo, in keeping the legacy of the respected Igbo great and fallen hero, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In his tribute also, the Secretary-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Amb. Okey Emuche, regretted the loss of Chief Iwuanyanwu at such a critical time when his leadership, erudition, experience, tenacity and services were most needed, noting that Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo was passionate about peace and unity among the Igbos, promising that they will carry on from where he stopped, while upholding his legacies.
A former president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu (Agadagidi), Umuada Igbo, in Nigeria and Diaspora from the seven (7) Igbo speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers, all took turns to pay their tributes to the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The Emeritus Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel. O. Chukwuma, who conducted the Service of songs and Day of tributes, in his sermon, called for harmonization of leadership in Ohaneze Ndigbo, which he said, “will ensure unity, peace and development of the Igbo states”.
He also demanded for a quality leadership from the Governors of the Igbo states, while emphasizing that everyone, be it a leader or the led, will be remembered for his deeds while alive.
Prince Jide Iwuanyanwu, the first son of late Iwuanyanwu, in his vote of thanks, acknowledged that his father was large in body and life, as evidenced by the emotional and overwhelming eulogies by people who knew him.
He appreciated everyone who came to give his father the deserving respect and generously thanked all, who ensured the success of the event, especially the Governor of Imo state, His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma, his Enugu state counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Peter Mbah and the entire leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, presently anchored by Amb. Okey Emuche.
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