The former Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK/Ireland, Chief Uche Osuigwe (Agu-Udo) has said, Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu fought and represented Ndigbo in his lifetime, Ogene Ndigbo Newspaper gathered.
Chief Osuigwe made the statement in a wake-keep organised in the UK by the Imo State Union UK for the Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who died on the 25th July 2024.
He said, Chief Iwuanyanwu, 82, was a man that always stands for the truth, and he stood for Ndigbo throughout his lifetime.
In his speech during the ceremony, Chief Osuigwe said, Chief Iwuanyanwu has done very well for Ndigbo and Nigeria at large. He referenced, saying, he (Uche) is one of his beneficiaries.
Chief Uche Osuigwe and Dr. Nnanna Igwe.
He said, his father, Chief Okenze Osuigwe and Chief Iwuanyanwu were close friends, and his father was the Land Commissioner on Urban Planning, while one of his uncles, Eze Ajoku was a senator. He said, all these were made possible by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
He continued, saying, during his lifetime, Chief Iwuanyanwu fought for the collective good of Ndigbo and intervened in various issues to save the face of Ndigbo.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Years ago, when a challenge was thrown to Ndigbo to produce who would contest for the Nigerian President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu answered the call to save the face of Ndigbo, Chief Osuigwe said.
Osuigwe said, Chief Iwuanyanwu contributed to building airports, and immensely contributed in building Imo state airport by giving $2milion to the State government as the first money provided to kickstart the building of the airport in Owerri, Imo state.
He further established Oriental Airline, and founded the “Champion Newspaper” to give Ndigbo a voice in Nigeria. He established Iwuanyanwu Nationals FC in 1985 that produced many talented Igbo footballers, like, Kanu Nwankwo.
During the Nigerian civil war, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was in the battlefield, he fought for Ndigbo, Chief Osuigwe said. He maintained that all the Igbo people benefited from Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
He said, Chief Iwuanyanwu visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention which prompted the federal government to make efforts for his release.
In concluding his speech, he said, Chief Iwuanyanwu fought for Ndigbo financially, physically, and spiritually with his life. He asked God to accept his soul and give him eternal rest.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was born on the 4th September 1942 and died on 25th July 2024. He hailed from Atta in Ikeduru, Imo State.
He studied Civil Engineering in the University of Nigeria Nsuka, (UNN) and contested for the President of Nigeria during his lifetime. He was a Chieftain of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), before he resigned from partisan politics.
In 1988, Chief Iwuanyanwu became publicly involved in the activities of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and served in various Committees as the Chairman.
On 23rd April 2023, he was announced as the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide after the death of Ambassador Obiozor who was the President before he died and replaced with Chief Iwuanyanwu.
Before his death, Chief Iwuanyanwu intervened in the leadership crisis that kept Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK/Ireland at bay.
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