From Everest Ezihe, Atta-Ikeduru
It is a justification of one of the William Shakespeare’s popular quotes, that when the poor die, no comet is seen, but heaven themselves beseech the death of a Prince, as HRH Eze Dr Oliver Ohanweh, the Obi Gburugburu of Isiama ancient kingdom together with Prof. Maurice Iwu, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu and Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe led other leaders of Okigwe Senatorial Zone and paid condolence visit to the family of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo at his ancestral home, Atta in Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.
Recall that Chief Iwuanyanwu who until his death few months ago was the President General of an apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo World wide and his maternal home is Ugiri Oka in Isiala Mbano LGA of Okigwe Senatorial Zone and he also married from the Senatorial zone.
On hands to receive the slated special envoys from the 6 local government areas that constitutes, Okigwe Senatorial Zone are Princess Francesa Chinonyerem Iwuanyanwu, (the wife/widow of the deceased and she’s from the Senatorial zone), Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo, (Marcon, trusted family friend and age long business and political associates of the deceased) and senior staff of Chief Iwuanyanwu galaxy of companies.
Eze Ohanweh who is the Chairman of Okigwe Elders Global Forum, OKEF said that it’s under the organization’s auspices that the historical visit is made noting the deceased as their worthy grandson and great in-law.
The traditional ruler expressed gratitude for life worthy of emulation which the deceased lived and thanked the wife for taking good care of the husband even unto death and for being a good ambassador of the senatorial zone .
He described the widow as proud daughter of Okigwe senatorial zone noting that her husband, dearly loved the zone and contributed immensely towards its human capacity developments as well as her infrastructural growth and transformations.
Early, Prof. Maurice Iwu, one time Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Founder, Bio resources and Development Conservation Programme, BDCP , thanked God for the deceased for being a proud son of the nation.
Iwu who condole the family on behalf of the senatorial zone expressed gratitude to God for the mutual relationship between the deceased and their daughter, who he applauded for being solidly behind the husband while alive and even in death.
He lamented that the State, the nation and global community have lost a rare gem who he said is always in tune with historical facts and enjoined the family to entrust their faith and confidence in God.
Speaking also, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, the distinguished Senator representing Imo North in the Senate, re-echoed the essence of the condolence visit, and advised the family on the need to have solace in God, adding that the deceased lived a good life, touched lives and served his God in truth and spirit.
For Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, IMHA he reiterated that their illustrious and patriotic grandson and in-law answered the clarion call waiting for all mortals.
Olemgbe quoting a biblical injunction, that there are time and season for everything in life and advised the family not to mourn like the Gentiles.
While Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Secretary to Imo State Government, SGI, described Chief Iwuanyanwu as a global figure with tentacles in all aspects of human endaevours.
Iwu expressed regrets that the deceased few months before his death invited him and his wife for unknown special discussions, which he said exigencies of duty never allowed them to honour the visit.
For Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, an astute politician and philosophical intellectual giant, recalled his age long mutual relationship with Chief Iwuanyanwu, this he attested that made the deceased to facilitate his election as the National Chairman of Town Unions in Nigeria.
Chukwu said it point blank that Chief Iwuanyanwu prepared himself for life challenges and even death, and described him with a Shakespearean quote as a man who came, saw and conquered.
Adding his voice, Rev. Dr. Divine Eche, the Imo State Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN also nostalgically recalled his official and fatherly relationship with Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo noting that as the aftermath of the deceased unconditional love for his maternal home people and in-laws and prayed for God’s abundant grace upon the family and his associates.
Responding,on behalf of the family, Nlemigbo who thanked the leaders of Okigwe senatorial zone for their solidarity and labour of love for their deceased patriotic grand son and philantropic in law, however, apologized on behalf of the family for the absence of Jide, the heir apparent and the other siblings saying that they went to their father’s maternal home as tradition demands to fulfill some burial rites as plans have been advanced that the deceased who died at 82 years would be buried this Friday.
Among the dignitaries that attended the condolence cum solidarity visits are; Hon. Emeka Nduka, member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, Hon.Chuk Chukemeka, Imo State Commissioner of Finance, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Hon. Chike Ogu, Imo State Deputy Chairman, All Progressive Congress, APC , Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, PhD and Chief Chidiebere Anyanwu.
Others include; HRH Eze Dan Emereonye, Eze Omenma and Rt. Hon. Maxwell Duru among others.
