By Chesa Chesa
It was deluge of eulogies for late politician, philanthropist, newspaper publisher, spirts enthusiast and President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on Friday in Abuja as his family and friends hosted a service of songs in his honour.
The event held at the National Christian Centre, and was attended by prominent Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Senate Presidents Adolphus Wabara, Ken Nnamani, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and Deputy Governor of Imo State, as well senior clerics, other top politicians, diplomats and members of the public.
In his tribute to the late politician, Jonathan, who was welcomed to the podium with a standing ovation from the congregation and guests, recalled his significant relationship with Iwuanyanwu.
He said Iwuanyanwu, who died aged 81, showed him enormous goodwill in his political career, having treated him like a son and mentored, from as early as when he (Jonathan) was Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State till he became President of Nigeria.
He recalled that Iwuanyanwu was in same political party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – with him and had contested unsuccessfully for the Nigerian presidency, but that did not stop him from showing love and support towards his presidency.
Jonathan revealed that Iwuanyanwu organized private prayer sessions for him whenever there appeared to be turmoil in his presidency or the nagion at large.
Jonathan concluded that “we are not here today just to mourn but to celebrate our father”, who lived a good life, rendered meritorious service to his community and nation, and surpassed the biblical average life span of “three scores and ten”.
The late Iwuanyanwu was among many things, a civil engineer, was chairman of his firm, Hardel and Enic Ltd; founder of Champion Newspapers; founded Iwuanyanwu National Football Club; was chairman of Oriental Airlines as well as Oriental Shipping Lines.
He was conferred with with several academic, professional and social honours at home and abroad, including Nigeria’s respected Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), and the traditional title of Ahaejiagamba of Ndigbo. He was until his death the President-General of apex Igbo soico-political interest group, Ohaneze Ndigbo.Iwuanyanwu who lost his first wife, Eudora, in 2011, died on 25th of July, 2024, and is survived by his second wife, Frances, and seven children.
The remains of late elder statesman will be interred on November 1, 2024 in his hometown, Atta, Ikeduru, Imo State.
