Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has expressed grief over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“A great iroko has fallen,” Mbah said in Enugu on Thursday.
He described Iwuanyanwu’s death as an incalculable loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
The governor said Iwuanyanwu was unapologetically Igbo, yet a consummate nationalist and quintessential statesman.
He said that the pan-Nigerian gave his all in service to the nation and to the Igbo race.
“I received with a deep sense of grief the shocking news of the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an icon, pan Nigerian, national colossus, and an absolute patriot, who gave his all for the peace and progress of Ndigbo and Nigeria.
“Ahaejiagamba, as he was popularly known, took up the mantle of leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at a very difficult time, and acquitted himself most creditably as a courageous leader, whose vision was to chart a new roadmap for Igbo renaissance in the Nigerian commonwealth.
“He was an erudite scholar, researcher, media entrepreneur, sports enthusiast and financier, business mogul with interest in many critical sectors of the nation’s economy, and indeed a philanthropist,” Mbah said.
He said that in politics, the Igbo leader was no less remarkable as his views were candid and unpretentious, but never divisive.
“Indeed, Chief Iwuanyanwu, a pan Africanist, would be missed by not only Ndigbo and Nigeria, but Africa as a whole.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I offer my condolences to his family and pray that God comforts and grants them as well as the Government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo, and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Rest in peace, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” he prayed.