Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has joined millions of Nigerians both home and abroad to felicitate with its President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as he turns 81 on Monday.
Recall that Chief Iwuanyanwu emerged as the new leader of Ohaneze after he was elected to replace Amb. George Obiozor who died in December, 2022.
Congratulating the PG in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the group described Iwuanyanwu as one of the finest amongst the Igbo, an outstanding Nigerian businessman and a great philanthropist.
Chief Iwuanyanwu was also described in the statement as a robust creative thinker, a broad-minded charismatic personality of impeccable pedigree, a foremost Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a Nigerian patriot and a man who has devoted all his life in the service of the Igbo.
Ohanaeze said Chief Iwuanyanwu’s life trajectory is dotted with a distinctive stardom beginning from his primary school to the present day.
“There has never been an idle moment in his life as a school prefect, college sports captain, brave Biafran Army captain who was among the engineers that invented the multi-purpose Biafran bomb called the Ogbunigwe, an accomplished engineer with legacies in road construction and aviation industry; air and sea transport; real estate; football; publishing; agriculture; research and development; Chairman, Federal Boards; Chairman, Board of Trustees of formidable political parties; contest for Nigerian presidency; Ohanaeze leadership; among others.
“There was a time in history when Iwuanyanwu was the highest employer of labour, at least in the entire East of the Niger. One of the most endearing is the Iwuanyanwu Foundation which has offered scholarships to over ten thousand indigent students across the country. He has donated to universities to create conducive environments for learning; built churches and other community facilities. Over forty years ago, Chief Sam Mbakwe, the former governor of old Imo State, conceived the idea of an International Cargo Airport at Owerri. It was Iwuanyanwu who made the highest donation of two million dollars.”
It said Iwuanyanwu’s success story even as Ohanaeze President General is an inspiring tribute to the virtues of hard work, intellect, sincerity, heroism, sacrifice and resilience.
Recounting his early achievement as Leader of the Igbo apex group, Dr Ogbonnia said since Iwuanyanwu was sworn in as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday, May 30, 2023, he has hit the ground running.
“Within the four months of his incumbency, the Ahaejiagamba Midas touch has neutralised the inauspicious frosty relationship that existed between Ohanaeze on one hand and the Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, Anya Ndigbo, Ala Igbo Development Foundation, Aka Ikenga, Nzuko Ummunna, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Global Igbo Leaders, World Igbo Congress, Association of Igbo Town Unions, Lagos State Market Traders on the other.
He said the PG has also restored a cordial relationship with the Ohanaeze Governors; mainstreamed the Igbo Captains of Industry into the Ohanaeze activities; resolved the leadership crisis in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uk and Ireland; admitted the African Americans with authentic Igbo ancestry into the Igbo cosmology; created a strategic organizational structure for global administration of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; responded rapidly to the Igbo calamity at the Alaba International Market, Lagos.
Speaking further, Dr Ogbonnia said Chief Iwuanyanwu, as Ohanaeze PG, has reactivated the Youth and Women Wings of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; convened a meeting of the Igbo political office holders to address the insecurity in the South-East; and re-commenced the monthly National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings of Ohanaeze.
He also said he has set machinery in motion for the 2023 Igbo Day on September 29, 2023; constituted vital Ohanaeze committees, appointed Presidential Advisory Council; lifted Ohanaeze from its mytred habitat to an enviable pedestal; most importantly, he stoutly renewed the call on the presidency for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, among several others.
