Iwuanyanwu lived last stage of his life for Ndigbo

A former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, has expressed his sorrow over the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

His position was contained in a statement titled “Ahaejiagamba, we will miss you”, made available to journalists on Saturday.

Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024, at the age of 82, following a brief illness.

According Online reports that Iwuanyanwu’s death was confirmed on Thursday by his son, Jide Iwuanyanwu.

Mourning the late Ndigbo leader, Okakim described Iwuanyanwu’s passing as “an appropriate illustration of a brilliant actor quitting the stage while the spectators are still standing in loud ovation.”

He said that after playing dominant roles in national politics, Iwuanyanwu’s last few years were the “most significant” because he lived them serving his people.

The statement read, “Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu had for over 40 decades been in the national and international limelight, bestriding politics, business, sports etc but the last few years of his life were the most significant.

“The reason is simple. Chief Iwuanyanwu lived the last stage of his life serving his people–Ndigbo – after playing a dominant role in national politics and as an entrepreneur of international repute. It is a rare thing, something everybody hankers for to return home at the twilight of life to be and serve one’s people.

“Many of his calibre get stuck while seeking more recognition and relevance outside. Although a national icon, Chief Iwuanyanwu got wisdom and harkened to the call by his kinsmen to lead them at a most auspicious time both in their collective existence as a people and in their relationship with fellow compatriots across the country.

“As it is, what Ndigbo lost in Chief Iwuanyanwu’s unsuccessful bid to become the president of Nigeria they seem to have gained in the brief period he headed the Igbo nation’s apex socio-cultural body – the OhenezeNdigbo. His road map as President-General of the body was headed for an unprecedented transformation of Igboland.”

Ohakim also explained that, for the first time under Iwuanyanwu’s leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo people experienced unity under a single organisation.

He added, “Under his leadership of the body, Ndigbo saw, for the first time, a pan-Igbo blueprint that would have brought together every facet of the Igbo race – from Owerri to Anioma, from Ikwere land to Ikot Abasi, from Ohaozara to Orokam, all over Igbo land. He mapped out a strategy for a deliberate pursuit of a development programme in all the sectors – agriculture, education, health, power, road infrastructure, security etc. For each sector, he set up committees headed by individuals with cognate experience in the area.

“The period was marked by a frenzy of activities that bellied his huge frame and put to rest earlier insinuations in some quarters that he was either too old for the job or did not possess the necessary physical fitness for it.

“He carried this alacrity to the very last days before his death. He traversed all over Nigeria calming frayed nerves whenever hostilities arose between Ndigbo and their hosts. But more importantly, he set up a programme for the Igbo living outside Igbo land to look back home while admonishing them to live peacefully with their hosts meanwhile.

“To be sure, past President-Generals of Ohaneze Ndigbo did quite creditably well, but it would appear that providence was waiting for a time like this to throw up a fellow like Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to lead Ndigbo. Yes, he made very robust attempts to become the president of Nigeria but with the benefits of hindsight, it would appear that the same providence thought it would be better to preserve his energy till such a critical period like now when Ndigbo needed a leader that would at once guide them towards self-actualization as a people and at the same time ensure that they remain good citizens of their country, Nigeria.”