Nigerians have responded to the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in a variety of ways, expressing grief and celebrating his accomplishments. His son, Jide Iwuanyanwu, revealed the death in a statement to Owerri news reporters.
“We announce the demise of our patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” the announcement from the Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, stated. Following a brief illness, Chief Iwuanyanwu passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024. He was eighty-two years old.
Ten things about the late Ohaneze commander are provided below:
1. In the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, on Friday, September 4, 1942, Iwuanyanwu was born to Pa Bernard and Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu.
2. He became a prosperous engineer and businessman after studying civil engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
3. On April 30, 2023, Chief Iwuanyanwu took over as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s ninth leader, replacing the late Professor George Obiozor, who also passed away while in office.
4. He renamed Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC—currently known as Heartland FC—after purchasing the state-owned Spartans Football Club in Owerri.
5. The now-defunct Champion Newspaper was founded by him.
6. He made three separate presidential runs under the banners of the United Nigeria Congress Party, the All People’s Party, and the Nigeria National Congress, which subsequently became the National Republican Convention.
7. Chief Iwuanyanwu was bestowed with several distinguished accolades, such as the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Business Education Executive Council in 1985, as well as the Business Person of the Year award in 1999. In addition, he received recognition as an Order of St. Christopher Knight.
8. Iwuanyanwu shared his greatest grief in an interview, mentioning the passing of Uduora Iwuanyanwu, his wife of more than 40 years, whom he had dated for six years while attending university. He wed Frances Chinonyerem Enwerem in 2013.
9. The Iwuanyanwu Foundation and the Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance, two well-known non-profit organisations with a significant influence throughout Nigeria, were founded as a result of his well-known charitable endeavours.
10. He chaired the State Creation Committee, Planning and Strategy Committee, Political Committee, Constitution Draughting Committee, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President General Committee, among other Ohanaeze committees.
