By Tony Adibe
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has formally paid a condolence visit to the family of its late President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), at Owerri, Imo State on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The delegation to the bereaved family was led by Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ohanaeze’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, Emuchay described the death of the Igbo leader as a blow to the Igbo nation and a death too many. He stated that the death of Chief Iwuanyanwu has “left everybody in a quandary,” stressing that “Ahaejiagamba was an amazing person in many ways and that we will always treasure the time we had with him as our President General.”
Ohanaeze said that Iwuanyanwu was the man who was fervently committed to Igbo cause, adding that “His preoccupation was Igbo in all ramifications.” According to Emuchay, “He was a man who had related with persons of diverse fields of human endeavour and developed genuine friends and contacts in all parts of Igbo land in particular, and most parts of the world.”
Emuchay further described the late Igbo leader in more glowing terms. “He deployed his business and political acumen in the service of Igbo land. He had the welfare of the Igbo in his thoughts until his last breath,” said Emuchay, who quickly added that “the best we can do for Iwuanyanwu to sustain his legacies is to implement the enviable visions and programmes he had articulated in Ohanaeze Ndigbo for a better Igbo land.”
Emuchay, who also acknowledged that the death of Ahaejiagamba is heart breaking, however, noted that since “death is a part of our existential reality, we shall find solace in the superlative memories of his lifetime.” He said: “On behalf of the NEC of Ohanaeze, the various organs of Ohanaeze and indeed all the sons of Igbo land, we send our deepest sympathy at this most challenging moment.”
Emuchay added that while “we urge you to bear this irreparable loss, we assure you that Ndigbo all over the world will strive in unison to bid our father a befitting farewell.”
Responding, Mr. Jidechukwu Iwuanyanwu, the first son of Chief Iwuanyanwu thanked Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the condolence visit and the kind words. He stated that there has been an overwhelming outpour of emotions from all parts of the world since Ahaejiagamba departed.
He thanked God for the grace to contend with the mourning challenges. The wife of Iwuanyanwu, Mrs Frances Iwuanyanwu who was almost speechless, expressed gratitude to the Ohanaeze delegation.
The Ohanaeze members in the delegation include Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR, Dr. Kingsley Lawrence Chidozie, Chief Afam Okeke-Ogene, Mr. Chukwuemeka Festus Ogwu, Chief Barr. Okeagu Ogadah, Dr. Mrs. Selina Ugwuoke-Adibuah, Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Onyekachi Eze, Chief Bartholomew O. Okere, Barr. Joseph Obinamma Ojobu, Chief Michael M. Nnakwuzie, Hon. Ezechi Chukwu, PhD; Elder Nnanna Gilbert Egwu, PhD; Barr. Peter Chidera Aneke, PhD; Comrade Okey Paul Nwankwo, Prince Emeka Festus Udodeme, Hon. Prince Frank Nwandu, Chief Peter Obasi Mbam, PhD; Professor Fred Eze, PhD; Chief. Lucky Achinihu Ekeji, PhD; and Engr. Damian Okafor, the National Youth Leader, including Mazi Ambrose Obioha, KSJI (Admin. Manager).
