Victor Ezeja
Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has emerged as the new president-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
This was made known in a statement by the spokesperson of the group, Chiedozie Ogbonnia on Wednesday night.
“In line with a doctrine of necessity, the NEC had at the demise of Ambassador Professor George Obiozor directed the people of Imo state to find a credible replacement of Obiozor for the post of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,” the statement reads.
Also, a statement by the Mr Oguwike Nwachuku, the chief press secretary/media adviser to the governor of Imo state, indicated that the new president-general was presented to Governor Hope Uzodinma by a delegation of the Imo Elders Council led by its Chairman, Cletus Ilomuanya, at the New Executive Council Chambers Government House, Owerri on Wednesday.
Ogbonnia said Iwuanyanwu has all the qualities required of anyone to take the office of the Ohanaeze President-General.
He said: “Before now, Iwuanyanwu is one of the finest amongst the Igbo; a philanthropist par excellence, massive employer of labour, robust creative thinker, brave soldier, accomplished engineer, astute business mogul, industrialist and sagacious politician.
“Beyond the above attributes is the general outcry for the prerequisites or the required persona for the Office of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Most expect the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to be economically stable and viable. He should have a presidential stature and clout. He should have robust intellect and a mind of his own.”
He urged the new President-General to detach himself from politicians and have the courage and “moral authority to reproach or condemn” any public office holder who goes against Igbo interest.
According to reports, Governor Uzodinma commended the council of elders for their choice of Iwuanyanwu.
The governor congratulated the new president-general for accepting to serve Ndigbo and the nation in that capacity.
While accepting the position as president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-wide, Iwuanyanwu described it as a “sacred duty.”
He thanked the people for unanimously choosing him to be the leader of the organisation, promising to do his best to serve Igbo interest.
Chief Iwuanyanwu replaces the immediate past president-general of the Ohanaeze, Prof George Obiozor, who died December last year.
Until his emergence as President-General, Iwuanyanwu was the chairman of the council of elders of the Igbo group.
The entrepreneur who hails from Ikeduru Local Government Area in Imo State, is a graduate of engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The octogenarian is the founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, now Heartland Football Club, which has won several local and international championships.
He was also the publisher of Daily Champion newspaper.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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