Late President-General of Onanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu for final burial Nov 1 — National Accord Newspaper

The remains of Champion Newspapers Publisher and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo world-wide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu will be laid to rest in Ata Ikeduru, Imo State on November 1, 2024.

Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Senator Ben Obi, who announced this in Abuja on Thursday, said the series of activities lined up in honour of   the late politician, industrialist, sports promoter and philanthropist, who passed away on July 25 this year at the age of 82, would begin on October 16, 2024 with the Lagos Day of Tributes to be held at the Eko Hotel & Convention Centre.

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, Senator Obi said.

He recalled that during his life time, Iwuanyanwu performed with distinction in the  areas media, Business and Aviation, where he left lasting and indelible impressions.

Obi said: 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

After the Lagos event, Senator Obi disclosed that Abuja Day of Tributes would hold on Friday, October 18 at the National Ecumenical Centre in the Central Business District, while the Enugu Day of tributes would hold Saturday October 26 with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will hold at the Okpara Square.

According to the burial committee, Owerri Service of Songs will hold on Tuesday, October 29, to be followed by  a Commendation Service on November 1 in Owerri and Imo Day of Burial on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Further details will be communicated in due course, Senator Obi announced.

At the media briefing held inside the Imo Stat Governors Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, Senator Obi was accompanied by other members of the committee, notably Ambassador Okey Emuchay (Secretary), Senator Osita Izunaso (Chairman, Contact and Mobilization sub-committee), Prof Okey Ikechuckw (Chairman, Media & Publicity), former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), Senator Uche Ekwunife, Chief Sam Ubaji,  Chief Emeka Nwosu, Dr. Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwu (Iwuanwanwus daughter) and his son, Chief Jide Iwuanyanwu.