Iwuanyanwu, an advocate of national renaissance, Umahi pays tribute

Nigerian Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has paid tribute to the former President- General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who was called to eternal glory on 25th July 2024 at the age of 82 years.

Umahi, through a statement released by his aide recently, said it’s indeed nostalgic to share the treasurable memories of this great man of God’s purpose who has departed gloriously at a time of God’s will.

According to him, “I remember the beautiful memories of splend of his life endeavours. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a house hold name in Igbo land and Nigeria at large.
“His name rings a bell in our contemporary society as an experienced and well respected national figure with unwavering political, professional and business track-records and as an advocate of national renaissance who championed cause of nation-building and ethical rebirth with unwavering passion”.

The Minister recalled how Chief Iwuanyanwu canvassed unequivocally for equity, equality, value re-orientation, and unconstrained national development.

“He desired a progressive Nigeria that blossoms in peace, prosperity, unity, and justice. The life journey of Chief Iwuanyanwu resonates in the fact that God strengthens and equips us for whatever he calls us to do.

In business, political and socio-cultural life, Umahi harped Chief Iwuanyanwu for being outstandingly and exceptionally huge, tall, elegant, and captivating.
He said, “Chief Iwuanyanwu will be remembered as a successful captain of industry who impacted humanity through diverse business ventures, including media and advertisement, entertainment and hospitality industry, shipping lines, insurance, and airline business”.

The Minister expressed happiness that Chief Iwuanyanwu has continued to render national service through some of these conglomerates even at death, especially via his media outfit, Champion Newspaper Ltd, currently headed by one of his daughters, Dr. (Mrs.) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa.

Umahi pressed further that Chief Iwuanyanwu is a political heavy weight who led various national reconciliations, political harmonizations that shaped election outcomes especially in the 3rd and 4th republics.

Adding that, “Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu shall be remembered as a prominent political figure from South East extraction whose influence, sagacity, contact and connection cannot be written-off in political landscape of Nigeria. He was a great voice for national consensus”.
Umahi said, “Chief Iwuanyanwu lived and died in active service to his people and humanity. When leadership gap was created after the death of the then President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Amb. Obiozor, he offered to fill the gap, and he recorded tremendous achievements within so short a time.

“His voice was heard, and his ideals and values were re-vibrated. He died fighting for a just and equalitarian nation. I must state that Nigeria has lost a great gem who came, saw, and conquered. Even in death, the nation needs to celebrate him.

“Although he departed in glory, leaving behind an irreplaceable vacuum, I charge the family and indeed the people of South East to keep his legacies alive by striving to foster the ideals his name represents. May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen”.

The second in the series of Service of Songs for the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was held in Abuja, on Friday, with impressive participation from family, friends, and well wishers from the political, governance and business circles.

The event attracted political and business friends and foes who dropped their political differences to pay their last respects for the late politician, businessman, and community leader, who until his death, was the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.