Ohanaeze UK: Chief George Obiozor, A man Who Understands Our Culture and Tradition – Chief Engr, Stanley Okechukwu.

Late Prof. George Obiozor.

By Ejike Ikezuagu – UK.

The President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, Chief Engr, Stanley Okechukwu at the Christian Wake organised in London last Friday by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has said, “Prof. Obiozor is a man who understands our culture and tradition”.

Chief Okechukwu who expressed his pleasure for the people who attended the event, extended his gratitude to Ndigbo worldwide.

He said, “On behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, we want to express our sympathy to Prof. Obiozor’s family, Orlu community, Ndigbo worldwide, and Nigeria in general”.

He said, Prof. George Obiozor was an exemplary leader who had inspired various individuals, Ndigbo, and Nigeria in general with his wealth of wisdom.

According to Engr. Okechukwu, he said, Obiozor is a man who has travelled far, and wide, and has vast and diverse experience in all works of life. He eulogized Prof. Obiozor, saying, Chief Obiozor is a man who understands Igbo culture and tradition, and a man who respects the rule of law.

In his remarks, Engr. Okechukwu adores Chief Obiozor as a man who respects constitution, especially Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide constitution.

In his statement, Chief Engr. Okechukwu described Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide constitution as “bible” which has various wings. He said, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has Women’s wing, Youths’ wing, saying they are work in progress, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK in which he is the president.

In his concluding statements, he said, Chief Obiozor during his lifetime guided everything that concerns Igbo culture and tradition as close to his heart. He said, his death is a huge blow to Ndigbo and Nigeria at large, saying they are mourning, and asking God to grant his soul eternal rest, he concluded.

Few members of Ohanaeze with the President At the event. 

The President, Imo State Citizens UK, Nze Chukwuma Obidike regretted the low turnout of the members, stating, it maybe due to the day and time scheduled for the event. He expressed his pleasure for the befitting send-off organised for Late Chief Obiozor by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and extended his pleasure to all the speakers at the event, especially the members of Chief Obiozor’s extended families, and members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo who lauded the good virtues of the Late Prof. Obiozor.

Nze Obidike said, Chief Obiozor will be deeply missed by the Imo State Citizens UK and his Awo-Omamma.

The recently sacked Ex-President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, Prof. Joe. Ukemenam was not present at the event, Ogene Ndigbo Newspaper revealed.

Few members the Women’s Wing (Mrs Eberendu holding the photo frame)

Other dignitaries who attended the event were, Chief Valentine Akudineobi (Igbo Amaka TV), Barr. Chibuzor Ubochi, Chief Emeka Ughamba, Chief Emma Aranuke, President, Oru Community UK, Chief Uche Osigwe, (Agu Udo), Chief, Barr, Kingsley Offor, Hon. Ejike Ikezuagu (Publisher, Ogene Ndigbo), and, Mrs. Victoria Eberendu, President, Ohanaeze Women’s Wing UK.

Prof. George Obiozor hailed from Awommamma, in Oru LGA, Imo state. He was the President- General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. He was the former Nigeria Ambassador in the USA, and to the State of Israel.

Prof. Obiozor was born on 15^th August 1942, he studied at the Institute of African Studies and Albert Schweitzer College. In 1969, he graduated in the University of Puget Sound, he had his Ph.D. in Columbia University.

He was the Director- General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, and later became the High Commissioner to Cyprus, before becoming Ambassador to Israel from 1999 to 2003, and then Ambassador to the United States of America from 2004 – 2008.

Members at the event.

On January 9^th 2021, he was elected as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organisation formed for the welfare of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

Prof. George Obiozor died on the 26^th December 2022, at the age of 80 years.