The family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu have announced the death of their Father, Son and Uncle. The first son of the high chief, Mr Jude Iwuanyanwu broke the news of his fathers death on Thursday the 25th of August
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze Ndiigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, also confirmed the death of Chief Iwuanyanwu, He said Igbo apex body received the sad news of his death with “a deep shock and sorrow,” Dr Alex described him as “one of the most outstanding Igbo Leader”.
Chief Iwuanyanwu till death was the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide. The apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation .The social cultural group of Ndi igbo worldwide has confirmed the death of its president General.
According to the son, Chief Iwuanyanwu passed on Thursday, July 25, 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 82,
Chief Iwuanyanwu assumed office as the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on April 30, 2023. He was the Ninth leader of the Igbo apex group since it was founded in 1976.
While other past leaders limited their positions on current issues facing Nigeria, chief Ahaejiagamba gave Ohanaeze Ndigbo a strategic and visionary dimension to their methods of operation.
First of all, Iwuanyanwu was a powerful personality with a brilliant background as one of Nigeria’s most prosperous businessmen. In the selfless service of Ndigbo, he made the most of his extraordinary intelligence, political, administrative, and political acumen, vast expertise, and irreplaceable contacts.
The revolutionary leader who uplifted Ohanaeze Ndigbo to an enviable pedestal, removing it from its familiar context and lineage.
“As members of the NEC, we were always amazed by the brilliant initiatives, elephantine memory, oratory, including the frequency with which the Igbo Leader enunciated robust ideas.
Looking back, Ndigbo all over the world were delighted that a jinx-breaker, business icon, moral edifice, mobilizer,
With diverse interests and an accomplished achiever in the person of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, he was at the helm of affairs as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
It is therefore very painful that Chief Iwuanyanwu has passed on with all the ideas that were at his disposal.
“It is indeed a sad denouement for the Igbo that both Professor George Obiozor and Chief Iwuanyanwu died in office.
The apex association is also perturb at the rate we are losing the brightest of the brightest among the Igbos in a close sequence at a time their wise counsels are mostly needed.
“Iwuanyanwu was the Chairman of the Iwuanyanwu Foundation which offered scholarships to over ten thousand indigent students across the country.
He donated to universities and higher institutions to create conducive environments for learning; built Churches and other community facilities.
More than 40 years ago, Chief Sam Mbakwe, the former governor of Old Imo State conceived the idea of an International Cargo Airport at Owerri, Imo state. it was Chief Iwuanyanwu who made the highest donation of Two million Dollars (2M US Dollars), among others.”
“Iwuanyanwu’s life mission transcended self; he was devoted to charity, humanity and service to God.
“The Iwuanyanwu persona is a veritable and inspiring tribute to virtues of hard work, sincerity, heroism, sacrifice, ingenuity, philanthropy and mentorship to the people.
For instance, when his people needed his services most, he volunteered to serve as a Biafran soldier, rising to the rank of a Captain at a very young age.
“Apart from his gallantry and exploits in the theatre of war, he was among the engineers that invented the multi-purpose Biafran bomb, called the Ogbunigwe.
His prodigious intellect, character comeliness, generosity, frontier spirit, perseverance and tenacity portray the infinite capacity of human beings to shape their own destinies; and a caution to the dangers of self-delusion, arrogance and get-rich-quick syndrome which have become the contemporary social variables among present youths.
