Committee announces burial date for late President General of Ohanaeze Indigbo, Iwuanyanwu

The Ohaneze Indigbo has fixed 1st November, 2024 as date for the burial of its late President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuannyanu.

At a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the group also unveiled the National Planning Committee for the burial of the late elder statesman.

The Planning Committee includes: Senator Ben Obi (Chairman), Senator Osita Izunago (Chairman, Contact and Mobilization), Lt Gen. Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika (Chairman, Security Committee), among others.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Sen. Ben Obi revealed days of tribute in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Owerri where the deceased will be finally interred, among other program of events.

He said,”On behalf of the National Planning Committee, I welcome you to this very important press briefing on our arrangements for honouring a distinguished national icon, leader, business man, sports mogul and patriot. The series of activities lines up for this purpose will end with his final interment on the date we shall announce in the course of our interaction this morning.

“I would like to first place it on record that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, is one of the few Nigerians who can be described as a gift of God to this country. He touched many lives, communities and sectors in his long and eventful life. He invested heavily in nation building, group cohesion and the struggle for equity in our national life.

“Ahaejiagamba performed with distinction in the following areas, where he left lasting and indelible impressions.

“As publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba, brought a strong and credible voice into Nigeria’s media space. The newspaper presented informed perspectives, projected public interest news and also maintained a balanced reporting of critical national development and policy issues.

“Oriental Airlines, the flagship of aviation service in the South East route was the brainchild of Ahaejiagamba. He set it up, nurtured it and created new paradigms in the aviation services by focusing on what is important to the people.

“Beyond setting up the airline, our late leader put down 2 million dollars of his hard-earned money towards the construction of the now-very-strategic Sam Mbakwe Airport in Imo State.

“His construction company, Hardel and Enic left its mark in road construction, the building of estate and, especially, in the construction of impressive academic blocks in some of our universities. He was a success story in every line of business he ventured into and touched more lives than we can mention here today.

“He made our people proud with Iwuanyanwu Narionale football team, which became both a rallying sports platform and a symbol of group pride. Ahaejiagamba play at the highest level of national politics. His political aspirations were also tied to his subsisting desire to positively impact the life of the people and help in driving using the best, and highest, global standards for responsible leadership.

“There is a lot more to be said about this great man, but I would like to leave it here for now and brief us on the detailed programs and activities lined up for his final journey.”

He unveiled the burial programs as follows:” October 16 ( Lagos Day of Tribute) at Eko hotel, October 18 (Abuja Day of Tribute) at National Christian Centre, October 26 (Enugu Day of Tribute) at the Okpara Square, Enugu, October 29 ( Owerri Service of Songs), Commendation Service November 1, and Imo Day of Burial November 1, at Ata Ikeduru.”

Responding to interrogation on the late Chief Iwuanyanwu’s struggle on the release of Nnamdi Kanu and restructuring of Nigeria, the Secretary General, Ohaneze Indigbo, Ambassador Okey Amuche said that the Iwuanyanwu’s visit to Kanu at the prison was his last assignment before he passed on.

He said,” Iwuanyanwu’s visit to Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS facility I would think that was his last official assignment. I WA there with him with hosts Igbo leaders on that day. Prior that that he had never missed an opportunity to seek for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“He had written letters personally signed by him, seeking audience with President on settling of the issue,he had continued the struggle for the release of Nnamdi Kanu until his last day on the earth.”

On the deceased’s efforts over the restructuring of Nigeria he said,”On restructuring he never minced his words about equity, fairness and justice. And he knew as Igbo nation that we couldn’t do it alone, So, we had a canvas, the southern and middle belt forum leadership, PANDEF, Afenifere and we operated on that canvas. He gave opportunity to canvass this issue of restructuring.

“He gave us opportunity to seek equity, because if you check South-East is the only geo-political zone that has five states. He insisted that if others have seven, give South-East seven, if others have six, give South-East six not five, but today he is no more.

“We the Ohaneze, the stakeholders, the leaders will continue to pursue the these issues that are very dear to his heart.”

He added,” He had no regrets on the issues, seeking justice, seeking fairness, asking for restructuring, asking for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. I’m sure where he is he would never regret these critical issues.

“He meant for the Igbo nation, he meant well for the South-East, he wanted a South-East of development, a South-East where people will be proud of where they come from. And then to talk to Nigeria about the South-East, these things kept him alive, these things kept him awake and the word regret he would not have.”

On immortalizing late Chief Iwuanyanwu, Amuche said,”Well, those of you who have participated in the condolence visit by the middle belt elders forum and PANDEF will recall that they made very strong demands that the federal government will immortalize the president general of lndigbo, and we are also going to make. that demand strongly because Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was undisputedly one of the most foremost statesmen of this country, in any and every aspect of endeavour you look at.

“So, it will be in our interest to join hands with the other groups and work hand in gloves with the South-East Governors Forum led by the Chairman, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, fortunately the Director General of the South East Forum is here who will work hand in gloves with them.”

On the question if the federal government and the NFF will be participating, he said,” Of course we will be visiting the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, probably we will led by the chairman of the Governors Forum, and his brother Governors to formally put the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu before them. And we are sure that with Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has done the President will do the needful.

“On that of the NFF, the burial committe will definitely meet with them. So, we will meet with the NFF where Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a shining light in sports.”

Also speaking, the Chairman, Contact and Mobilization of the Burial Committee, Senator Osita Izunago said,”Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu represent several facet of Nigerian factor, we are in touch with the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He is a foremost engineer so, they are participating.In fact they have cancelled their trip to Kenya because they want to fully participate in this burial.

“We are talking to the aviation sector where he also played a major role, and we are glad that we also have an arrow head in the aviation sector here.

“So, there are several sectors you can’t even describe Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu the way we are doing it, but we will get to somewhere before the burial date.”