By Tony Adibe
A Chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Hycienth Ngwu has appealed to Ndigbo nationwide to accord the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, deep respect by not joining hunger protest.
NewsBits recalls that Engr Iwuanyanwu, who was also a politician, sports enthusiast and media mogul, died on Thursday, at the age 82 after a brief illness. Also recall that three days before his death, in a press release, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader, Iwuanyanwu, gave a warning that “no Igbo should participate in uncalled for, possible violent, disruptive and destructive protest.”
However, Ngwu said on Saturday that joining the ill-wind and ill-timed protest may further destroy the virtues Iwuanyanwu fought and stood for while alive. According to Ngwu, Iwuanyanwu, who is the Ahaejiejemba 1 of Igboland, acquitted himself well as champion of the cause of Ndigbo and its struggle over decades.
He said, all in Igbo land, especially the South-East, should remain in sobriety mood as we accord our great leader, father and brother a befitting mourning period. Ngwu noted that consultation and dialogue by representatives of the aggrieved group(s) and government remained the best option to take for the greater good of the country and her citizens.
“Ndi Igbo (Igbo people) recently lost our very illustrious son, an outstanding Philanthropist and a Nation builder in the person of Ahaejiejemba, the President-General of our epic association, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“We should accord him a deep respect by taking heed of all he had warned us of as Ndigbo, especially for any Igbo person not to join the planned nationwide hunger protest. At this moment and period in time, we should be prayerful to God and our Ancestors to grant his soul eternal peace.
“Joining in any mass and nationwide protest may further destroy the virtues he (Iwuanyanwu) fought and stood for,” he said.
