South-East elders mourn Onyeka Onwenu, Iwuanyanwu, Ubah

An Igbo socio-cultural group, Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, has lamented the deaths of some prominent Igbo personalities in July 2024.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Chairman, Chief Simon Okeke, and Secretary, Prof. Charles Nwekeakwu, the elders decried the sudden death of the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died last Thursday, Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, who died on Saturday and music icon, Onyeka Onwenu, who passed on Tuesday, including another prominent son, Sir Ferdinand Agu.

The statement read in part, “We mourn these illustrious and much-beloved personalities. Their death is heartrending. But we thank God for the life they lived. We pray for divine grace for their families, Ndigbo, and the people of Nigeria have to bear these irreparable losses.

On the nationwide protest, the elders said that before the death of Iwuanyanwu, he clarified on behalf of Ohanaeze that the Igbo were not part of any protest.

They said that in keeping with the famed Igbo values of enterprise, justice and equity, tolerance, and respect for others, the Igbo would continue to be good Nigerian citizens and work for a prosperous, just, equitable, and peaceful Nigeria.

“Once again, if only for emphasis and for the avoidance of doubt, Ndigbo is not protesting; we are mourning the sad deaths of our illustrious sons and leaders. We will not shy away from the duties of patriotism and courageous citizenship. As we promote peace and prosperity for Nigeria and show respect for other Nigerian people, we will demand the same from others. Ndigbo has contributed immensely and will continue to contribute to the greatness of Nigeria.

“Therefore, it is unacceptable and a gross provocation for any Nigerian, no matter how highly placed or privileged, to overlook the clear statement of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that the Igbo are not part of any national protest and spread malicious falsehood linking Ndigbo to the proposed protest,” the group added.