Family, friends and other Nigerians including Lagos State governor and a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on Wednesday paid tribute to late President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
They spoke at a service of songs/night of tributes in honour of Iwuanyanwu at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, describing him as a quintessential gentleman, who had much influence.
Iwuanyanwu died on July 25 during an illness.
Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that Iwuanyanwu was a man of great vision, passion and much energy.
“His life was a testament of what it means to be a real leader.
“He was a patriot and a dedicated servant to the growth and progress of not only the Igbo land, but of Nigeria in general.
“In every role he undertook, he embodied excellence and left a lasting legacy,“ the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu also described Iwuanyanwu as an enviable business conglomerate.
He said: “His contributions in the media space gave birth to what we know today as the Champion Newspaper.
“He amplified the voice of the less privileged and gave hope to the hopeless, strengthening the voice of free press in our country.
“His commitment to youth development is equally inspiring.”
A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Dr Emeka Anyaoku, described Iwuanyanwu as a true Nigerian and professional.
“He was a devoted leader of his people in the world and, at the same time, an exceptional Nigerian patriot.
“Only last May, he joined former President Obasanjo and I in writing letters to the five governors of the South-East Zone, inviting them to a meeting with us to discuss collaboration in the development of the zone.
“Unfortunately, Chief Iwuanyanwu was not able to attend the meeting which former President Obasanjo and I had with the five governors.
“He was not able to attend the meeting at the last minute because of illness,” Anyaoku said.
In her tribute, Iwuanyanwu’s daughter, Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, described her father as her strength, superhero and encourager.
Iheakanwa said: “He was a very duty-bound father; he loved me and all of us too much.
“My dad was so particularly proud of his children; many people did not know I was his only child for nine years.
“The 10th year, my sister came. For my father, I was a girl and a boy; he would teach me the ropes and things to
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, paid his final tribute to business tycoon, and Late president-general of Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing him as a patriot and a dedicated servant to the growth and progress of not only the Igbo land but of Nigeria in general.
The governor speaking at the service of songs and night of tributes to the late Imo State business mogul in Lagos, said every role the late Iwuanyanwu undertook, he embodied excellence and left a lasting legacy.
“As a business icon, Chief Iwuanyanwu built the Iwuanyanwu Group into a powerhouse, an enviable business conglomerate that spans several industries. His contribution to the media space gave birth to what we know today as the Champion newspaper. It amplified the voice of the less privileged and he gave hope to the hopeless, strengthening the voice of the Press in our country, his commitment to youth and youth development is equally inspiring.
“In politics, Chief Emmanuel was a respected elder statesman and a champion of unity. His voice resonated particularly in advocating not only for Igbo but for Nigeria at home and promoting across our nation.
“His message was a message of a diverse ethnic group and appreciating that we could be different, but we’re all the same.
”His philanthropic efforts are a reflection of his generous spirit. Through his foundation, countless scholarships were awarded to underprivileged students, and his support for his community touched lives beyond his state of Imo, state and here in Lagos, we felt it and beyond his commitment to improving education and expanding opportunities for the less fortunate and less privileged will forever stand as part of his enduring legacy.”
He added that the late Imo business tycoon is worth celebrating courtesy of his tremendous contributions not only in the South East but in the entire nation, stressing that he was indeed a giant of his time as the nation would mourn his passing.
Celebrating the life of late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu and his legacies, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Secretary General of Commonwealth and other notable Nigerians yesterday eulogised his leadership style, philanthropic works and immense contributions to national social and economic development.
Chief Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba 1 of Igboland), who died on July 25, 2024 at age 82, was honoured by bigwigs during service of songs and night of tributes held on Wednesday at Eko Hotels Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the well attended event, Sanwo-Olu said the late Igbo leader was a detribalised Nigerian, a patriot concerned about the progress of not only the Igbo land but of the country as a whole.
Speaking on his legacies, Sanwo-Olu said, “he embodied excellence and left a lasting legacy. As a business icon, Chief Iwuanyanwu built the Iwuanyanwu group into a power house, an enviable business conglomerate.
“He gave voice to the less privileged and hope for the hopeless. His commitment to youths and their development is really inspiring. He founded the Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He used sports to empower the youths as a testament to his dedication to shaping the future of the nation.
“In politics, he was a respected elder statesman and champion of youths. He lived a life of service and purpose. Today, we are not mourning but here to celebrate the remarkable life of a true Nigerian.”
In his tribute, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary-General of Commonwealth described Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as an outstanding Nigerian patriot and devoted leader of the people.
Chief Anyaoku, who referred to the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as a true icon, said he left a great legacy in various areas of the private sector.
“He was a versatile professional and business man. He was so versatile that he founded a conglomerate of over 20 companies. His death is a huge loss. We are saying adieu to a true icon.
“From Chief Iwuanyanwu, you would learn the virtue of hardwork and integrity. In May, he joined former President Olusegun Obasanjo and myself in writing to the five governors of the South East zone to convene them for a meeting to discuss the development of the zone, which was held on July 2nd. Unfortunately, he could not attend because of his illness,” the elder statesman stated.
Also speaking, retired Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Reverend Dr. Samuel Kalu Uche, noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu laboured for the unity of Nigeria since the civil war period.
According to him, “people are still being oppressed and marginalised in Nigeria causing inequality in the nation. That is why a y
Yoruba man went to London recently to request for Yoruba Nation yet, he was not arrested.”
The cleric, at the occasion, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally, adding that this should be done for unity, love and peace to reign.
He further said Chief Iwuanyanwu died as a Christian who ‘had no skeleton in his cupboard’ and had gone to be with the Lord.
Giving her tribute, the first daughter of the celebrated icon and Group Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Dr. Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, adored her father as a superhero who believed in female children.
Dr. Iheakanwa, who disclosed that she was her father’s only child for nine years before the arrival of other siblings, said Chief Iwuanyanwu was a true gift, duty-bound and proud of all his children.
“He has been through a lot in politics, business and even health yet he remained strong. I thank God for the life he lived and for always answering my prayers whenever my dad was sick. I can’t believe that he is gone. Please, keep praying for us. We really need strength,” she said.
Amongst prominent Nigerians who graced the occasion were, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, Senator Ben Obi, former Chief of General Staff Ubitu Ukiwe, Prof. Anya O Anya, Publisher of Vanguard, Sam Amuka Pemu, and one time Chief of Naval Staff, retired Admiral Allison Madueke.
