The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday, commiserated with the Igbo people in the South-East and all over the world over the demise of President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, an engineer who hailed from Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, and held the title of Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, died on Thursday after a brief illness at the age of 82.
Speaker Abbas, in his condolence message to the Iwuanyanwu family and the entire Ndi’gbo, issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, in Abuja, described the death as shocking and painful.
The Speaker described the late Chief Nwanyanwu, who in 2023 succeeded Ambassador George Obiozor as the 11th of the umbrella socio-cultural body of the Igbo, as a famous businessman and politician.
He added that Chief Iwuanyanwu was an elder statesman and a pan-Nigerian who used his leadership of Ohanaeze to seek peace and stability in Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas extended his condolences to the Iwuanyanwu family, the people, and government of Imo State, and the Igbo nation over “the huge loss that has left a vacuum in the leadership of the Igbo.”
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, while reacting to Iwuanyanwu’s demise, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu likened Iwuanyanwu’s death as a fallen Iroko tree.
Hon. Kalu said that Chief Iwuanyanwu contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, recalling that through his many business establishments, Iwuanyanwu provided employment for many Nigerians.
Hon. Kalu also recognized the patriotic and philanthropic gestures of Chief Iwuanyanwu which he exemplified through the Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance that catered for accident victims all over Nigeria amongst others.
Hon. Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State also lauded the leadership style of Chief Iwuanyanwu at Ohanaeze Ndigbo aimed at uniting and promoting the sociopolitical wellbeing of the people of the south east.
The Deputy Speaker also recalled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the successful unveiling of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) in Bende Local Government of Abia State in December, 2023, saying that his commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria was unparalleled.
He consoled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s family over the irreplaceable and irreparable loss, acknowledging that Ndi Igbo and indeed, Nigeria will greatly miss him.
He said: “It’s sad news for the people of the southeastern region because Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu remained one of the brightest stars from the region, who actually proved himself in business, political leadership and community leadership. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a great champion, who also designed a platform for the voice of Nigerians, especially the Igbos, to be heard using this champion newspaper.
“He was a man of many parts. A man with so many responsibilities which he discharged very well, and I was close to him in the later part of his life. He paid me a visit just a couple of months ago to congratulate me as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
“And one of his requests was for me to work hard alongside the members of the parliament to ensure that their age old dream of having a development agency known as Southeast Development Commission be a thing that will materialize in his lifetime.
“You’ll be shocked to hear that once the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria assented to that bill, he was the first that I called to share the news with. But he was in coma. It was his wife that answered and told me that chief is in coma.
“And a day after the assent to his long desire, he passed on. That is to show that he truly, truly loved the Igbo race. We will celebrate him.
“Nigeria is going to miss an entrepreneur who was not afraid to invest in Nigeria while people are carrying their funds and depositing them in foreign accounts, Chief Iwuanyanwu was busy investing in Nigeria and creating jobs to reduce the unemployment queue.
“That is what we are going to miss. We are going to miss an institution of our history, a man who will tell you the history of Nigeria, especially our southeastern experience from beginning to end.
“We have lost that value that he used to bring when we gather to teach the younger ones where we are coming from and where we need to get.
“So, those are many more, his philanthropic gestures to Nigerians are going to be missed because he was a selfless man who shared all that he had. So that is what Nigeria is going to miss with his person.”
Hon. Kalu also prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
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