A great Iroko has fallen, Mbah mourns Iwuanyanwu

The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has expressed grief over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

He described the death as the fall of a great iroko and an incalculable loss to Ndigbo in particular, and Nigeria in general.

Mbah said Iwuanyanwu was unapologetically Igbo, yet a consummate nationalist and quintessential statesman, who gave his all in service to the nation and the Igbo race.

In his reaction to the passing of the elder statesman on Thursday, Mbah said, “I received with deep grief the shocking news of the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an icon, pan-Nigerian, national colossus, and an absolute patriot, who gave his all for the peace and progress of Ndigbo and Nigeria.

“Ahaejiagamba, as he was popularly known, took up the mantle of leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at a very difficult time, and acquitted himself most creditably as a courageous leader, whose vision was to chart a new roadmap for Igbo renaissance in the Nigerian commonwealth.

“He was an erudite scholar, researcher, media entrepreneur, sports enthusiast and financier, business mogul with interest in many critical sectors of the nation’s economy, and indeed a philanthropist. His politics was no less remarkable. His views were candid and unpretentious, but never divisive. His maturity shone brightly, as he often sought to build bridges. Indeed, Chief Iwuanyanwu, a pan-Africanist, would be missed by not only Ndigbo and Nigeria but Africa as a whole.

“On behalf of the government and people of Enugu State, I offer my condolences to his family and pray that God comforts and grants them as well as the government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo, and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.  Rest in peace, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.”

According Online reports that Iwuanyanwu  died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness.

He was aged 82.

His death was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by his son, Jide.