Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday described late president-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as a Nigerian Igbo citizen rather than an Igbo Nigerian.
Iwuanyanwu, a renowned industrialist, died on Thursday at the age of 82.
Obasanjo in a condolence letter to the son, Mr Jide Iwunanyanwu, for the family of the deceased and made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the Igbo leader “was imbued with an undying love for his people which informed his acceptance to serve as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo so as to assist in ministering to, and advocating for their needs and truly.
“He was committed to the development and global vision of his people and the entire South-Eastern region of Nigeria till he breathed his last. He was a Nigerian Igbo rather than an Ibo Nigerian.”
The former president stated the he received the news of the death of the foremost Igbo leader, whom he described as his friend, brother and one of nation’s most intrepid entrepreneurs, with mixed feelings of sadness and gratitude to God.
“I was sad because we will miss his contribution to the building of a new Nigeria of his dream but I am grateful to God for such a life well spent in the service of our fatherland.”
“It is certainly not by accident that Iwuanyanwu is a household name throughout the country today even though ordinarily it should have been quite unpronounceable to any but the indigenous Igbo tongue. This is typical of the man behind the name. I met Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu many years ago and over this period, we established a relationship based on mutual respect for each other and deep appreciation of each others capabilities and attributes”he added
