Late Iwuanyanwu, a dependable partner — Afenifere

The Yoruba pan-African socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as a partner in the business of the new Nigeria.

According to the mainstream Yoruba group, Iwuanyanwu’s quest to ensure that no nationality or citizen was seen as second fiddle was unparalleled.

Chief Iwuanyanwu, who was 82 years old, died on July 25, 2024, after a brief illness.

Afenifere, in a condolence letter signed by its Secretary General, Sola Ebiseni, which was addressed to the Secretary General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, stated that the deceased’s strides transcended various sectors.

He said: “Afenifere received with a very deep sense of loss the news of the demise of Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, CFR, OFR, MFR, GCSI, FNSE, FNIST, FNICE, KSC. (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) and the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was a household name in Nigeria and indeed on the African continent for his success in every area of human endeavour, particularly businesses in diverse sectors including engineering, aviation, agriculture, the media, sports, etc.

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“In all of this, Iwuanyanwu’s emergence as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide was a great opportunity for nation-building, his final line of business of which he characteristically made huge success and for which Afenifere is proud as partners.

“At several forums, including the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, in the quest for a new Nigerian where indeed no constituent nationality or citizen is oppressed, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, leading the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, proved a genuine and courageous patriot. In this business, he absolved himself most creditably before he finally signed out.

“Considering the contemporary and prevailing age of our leaders, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at 82, sadly left us so young. We of the Afenifere will miss him greatly.

“Afenifere commiserates with the Iwuanyanwu family, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Ndigbo, and indeed fellow Nigerians for the departure of this great Nigerian.”