Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Wordlwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, has paid tribute to the life and times of the late President General of the association, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu who recently passed at the age of 82, saying that the elder statesman had no regrets whatsoever on his pursuit for restructuring of Nigeria and release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
Emuchay, who is also the secretary of the National Burial Committee for the late Iwuanyanwu was responding to a question on the two issues on Thursday at a press conference held at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
He said Iwuanyanwu led the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo delegation to the DSS detention facility, to see Kanu, a visit he referred to as the later President General’s official visit, adding that he had also before his passing written many letters to Mr President seeking audience on sundry other issues, including restructuring.
“On restructuring, Chief Iwunayanwu never minced words on equity. He knew we could not do it alone; so, under his leadership and guidance, we found a canvas with Afenifere and other regional groupings. He asked for parity in terms of number of states. Southeast zone should have equal number of states with the other zones. Now that he is gone, we will continue to pursue these issues that are very dear to his heart.”
Chairman of the Burial Committee, Senator Ben Obi, in response to another question that bordered on the immortalisation of the late Chief Iwuanyanwu, said the committee would table the matter before President Bola Tinubu before the burial of the elder statesman.
He said that PANDEF had already made a strong call for Iwuanyanwu’s immortalisation, adding that “we are going to make the same appeal to the Presidency. We will work hand in hand with other groups to achieve this. We will be visiting President Tinubu. The team, which will be led by the Governor of Imo State, will formally inform him (president) about Chief Iwuanyanwu’s death and make an appeal for his immortalisation”
While presenting the text of the Committee’s press conference, Senator Obi had, on behalf of the committee, reeled out the burial activities and their timelines.
He said that the Lagod Day of Tributes would hold on October 16, 2024 at Eko Hotel Convention Centre, while the Abuja version would hold on October 18 at the Ecumenical Centre.
According to the programme, the Enugu Day of Tribute would hold on October 26 while the body of the elder statesman would have a brief stop at the Ohanaeze headquarters in Enugu.
He said that the Owerri Service of Songs would hold on October 29 at Ata Ikeduru while both commendation service and burial proper (internment) would hold on November 1, 2024 in Ata Ikeduru.
Obi at the press conference described Iwuanyanwu as a distinguished national icon, leader, businessman, sports mogul and patriot.
He said “I would like to first place it on record that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, is one of the few Nigerians who can be described as a gift of God to this country. He touched many lives, communities and sectors in his long and eventful life. He invested heavily in nation building, group cohesion and the struggle for equity in our national life.
“Ahaejiagamba performed with distinction in the following areas, where he left lasting and indelible impressions.
THE MEDIA
“As publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba, brought a strong and credible voice into Nigeria’s media space. The newspaper presented informed perspectives, projected public interest news and also maintained a balanced reporting of critical national development and policy issues.
BUSINESS AND AVIATION
“Oriental Airlines, the flagship of aviation service in the South East route was the brainchild of Ahaejiagamba. He set it up, nurtured it and created new paradigms in the aviation services by focusing on what is important to the people.
“Beyond setting up the airline, our late leader put down 2 million dollars of his hard-earned money towards the construction of the now-very-strategic Sam Mbakwe Airport in Imo State.
“His construction company, Hardel and Enic left its mark in road construction, the building of estate and, especially, in the construction of impressive academic blocks in some of our universities. He was a success story in every line of business he ventured into and touched more lives than we can mention here today.
“He made our people proud with Iwuanyanwu Narionale football team, which became both a rallying sports platform and a symbol of group pride. Ahaejiagamba play at the highest level of national politics. His political aspirations were also tied to his subsisting desire to positively impact the life of the people and help in driving using the best, and highest, global standards for responsible leadership.
“There is a lot more to be said about this great man, but I would like to leave it here for now and brief us on the detailed programs and activities lined up for his final journey.”
Other members of the National Burial Committee present at the press briefing were Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Mr Jide Iwuanyanwu (representing the family), Senator Uche Ekwunife, Senator Osita Izunaso, and General Azubuike Ihejierika (retd) and Mr Chima.
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