The All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State has expressed profound grief for the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing him as a distinguished Nigerian statesman, an unapologetic defender and advocate of Igbo renaissance.
In a statement on Friday, the Chairman of the party in Enugu State, Ugochukwu Agballah, paid tribute to the legacy and contributions of Iwuanyanwu, who was until his death the President General of the apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in many fields.
“Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, was a great Igbo patriot and Nigerian statesman who dominated the fields of civil engineering, banking, sports, real estate, aviation, and politics,” the statement read.
He added that Iwuanyanwu was the second person from Igboland, after Zik, to seek the presidency of Nigeria under the National Republican Convention (NRC).
“He was known all over Africa as the owner of Iwuanyanwu National FC, which dominated continental soccer in the eighties. As president of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, he was an unapologetic defender and advocate of Igbo renaissance.
“I am saddened that you died on the same day that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the groundbreaking South East Development Commission Act, an Act you lobbied previous administrations to sign.”
“The Lord will surely grant you eternal repose. I will surely miss your wise counsel and enthusiastic collaboration on many pro-Igbo projects. Adieu, great son of Igbo,” he prayed.
