President Bola Tinubu has mourned the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died on Thursday.
The 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died after a brief illness, according to a statement signed by his son, Jide Iwuanyanwu.
Shortly after his death was announced, President Tinubu described the late Iwuanyanwu as an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
“President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday,” presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement.
He said Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy, praying for the repose of the departed elder statesman.
Similarly, the Southern Governors’ Forum described the death as a profound loss to the nation.
The regional governors expressed their condolence in a Thursday statement by their Chairman and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
“I received with shock, the news of the death of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Nwuanyanwu. His passing at this critical time when his counselling as an elder statesman is needed is saddening,” Abiodun said.
“Chief Nwuanyanwu was a remarkable leader, statesman, and patriot who dedicated his life to promoting the unity, progress, and well-being of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole.
“His contributions to fostering inter-ethnic harmony, peaceful co-existence, and mutual understanding between the diverse peoples of our country were huge. His death is a profound loss not only for the Igbo nation but Nigeria as a whole.”
The governors said Iwuanyanwu worked tirelessly to preserve the unity of the country with his various, timely interventions at critical times when contentious issues were raging.
“On behalf of the Southern Governors’ Forum, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Nwuanyanwu family, the Ohaneze Ndigbo family, the entire South-East region and Nigeria as a whole,” the statement read.