The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appreciated President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the National Assembly for their solidarity during the burial of its late President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Ohanaeze also appreciated former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and other imminent Nigerians for their support during Iwuanyanwu’s burial.
Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024, at the age of 81 after a brief illness in Abuja and was buried in his hometown of Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
However, Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Okey Emuchay, appreciated Nigerians and those in the diaspora for their part in the burial of the late industrialist.
A statement by Emuchay reads partly: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide expresses profound gratitude to Nigerians for the uncommon solidarity with the Igbo during the funeral ceremonies of the Igbo Leader, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu MFR, OFR, CFR, FNSE, GCSI, FNIST, FNICE, KSC (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“We deeply appreciate His Excellency Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for sending a Federal Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, His Excellency, Sen. George Akume; the Senate President, His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio for sending a Senate delegation led by Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and the NASS team; HE, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR; HE, Dr. Goodluck Ebele & Patience Jonathan, GCFR; HE Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR; HE Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, GCON & Mrs Amina Ukiwe; HE Emeka Anyaoku, GCON; HE Professor Mrs.Uche Azikiwe; HE Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu;
“We lack the appropriate words to thank the South East Governors Forum led HE, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, the Governor of Imo State. Other members of the Forum include HE Dr. Alex Otti, OFR; the Governor of Abia State; HE, Professor Charles Soludo, CFR, the Governor of Anambra State; HE, Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State and HE Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Governor of Ebonyi State.
“The following dignitaries were very awesome in special ways; HE Babajide Sanwo-Olu; HE Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State; HE Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State; HE Mr Peter Obi, CON; HE Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; HE Achike Udenwa, CON; HE Chief Rochas Anayo Okorocha, CON; Professor Bart Nnaji, CON; HE Sen. Dave Umahi, CON; Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, GCON; Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, CFR; HE Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, CON; HE Chief Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN; HE Sen. Pius Anyim, GCON; HE, Sen. Ken Nnamani, GCON, HE Sen Adolphus Wabara; the All Progressive Congress (APC) led by HE. Abdullahi Ganduje, OFR; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Sen. Sam Daddy Anyanwu; HE Sen. Chris Ngige, CON; Professor Anya O Anya, OFR; Chief Nnia Nwodo, HE Sen. Sam Egwu; Chief SN SN Okeke (OFR), Chief Chekwas Okorie; Iyom Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the DG South East Governors Forum; Sen. Ned Nwoko, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Sen. Anthony Agbo; the Aka Ikenga Lagos, led by Engr Chike Madueke; Sen. Chris Anyanwu, MFR; Chief Fank Nneji, the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; Lt Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, Rtd; Iyom Josephine Anenih, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR; Dr. ABC Orjiokor, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, Engr. Eluwa, High Chief Engr. John Chukwu, Chief Johnson Chukwu and many others too numerous to mention.
“The members of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum led by Chief Edwin Clark, CON have shown an eternal fidelity; especially Ambassador Godknows Igali, Dr. Ken Robinson, Dr. Alfred Mulade, Dr. Joseph Edet, Chief Dr. Ominimimi Obiuwevbi; the Middle Belt Leaders led by Dr Pogu Bitrus; the Afenifere led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo and represented by His Royal Highness Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Chief Supo Shonibare; the Arewa Consultative Forum led by Mamman Mike Osuman, OFR.
The Clergy, the Laity and the Choir, of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria led by the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba were awesome at all the various Service of Songs in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Owerri and the burial service at Atta, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. We recall with deep attachment the services rendered by His Grace, Professor Emmanuel O. Chukwuma (OON), the Emeritus Archbishop of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province; Most Rev. Dr.Blessing Enyindah, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Province; Most Rev Dr.David Onuoha, the Archbishop of Owerri Province; His Eminence, Dr. Kalu Sam Uche, the Emeritus Prelate of the Methodist Church; Rt. Rev. Osondu Ekweremadu, among others.”
The body also extended its gratitude to the Diplomatic Missions of the USA, UK, China, and several others; the Alumni Association, University of Nigeria; the Nigerian Society of Engineers; the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Owerri; the Imo State Police Command; the Speaker and Members of the Imo State House of Assembly; the Imeobi Ohanaeze, National Executive Committee (NEC) and all the structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; the Association of the South East Town Unions led by Chief Emeka Diwe and Umuada Igbo Nigeria and Diaspora led by Dr. Mrs Kate Ezeofor.
Emuchay said Ohanaeze is obliged to the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and the Chairman of the South East Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu; the Imo State Elders Council led by His Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya; His Royal Highness, Ambassador LOC Agubuzu, CON; Eze Ibe Nwosu, Igbo 1 of Abuja; His Majesty, Eze Okeke and Ndi Eze Lagos State.
He added: “Our gratitude goes to the members of the National Burial Committee led by Sen. Ben. Ndi Obi (CON) and his deputy, Prince Garry Igariwey for their exceptional commitment and dedication towards the success of the events leading to the burial of Ahaejiagamba. The leadership of the subcommittees and the LOCs were in their best elements. We recall with freshness the tireless efforts of Chief Dr Chika Okafor, OON; Prof Okey Okechukwu, Dame Rita Mbah, Ambassador Ozo Nwobu, Dr Humphrey Orjiako, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Chief Sam Obaji, Prince Charles Amadi, Mrs Mary Ikoku, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Chief Evaristus Ozonweke amongst others.
“It is on record that almost all the sons and daughters of means from Igbo Land travelled from the USA, UK, the far-flung and near to pay their last respects; to them and indeed all the numerous Nigerians whose names, for want of space, cannot be accommodated, we say thank you.
“The press rendered unflinching services from the very day the Igbo Leader transited to the day of Interment. We are indeed very grateful.
“To the wife, children and the immediate family of Chief Iwuanyanwu, we urge them to take solace in the sterling legacies that characterise the Igbo Leader, bearing in mind that Ahaejiagamba- a name that, when mentioned, opens the way- lives on.
“May God Almighty shower his blessings on each and everyone who played roles during the burial rites of the late Igbo Leader.”
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