Victor EzejaNigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed sorrow for the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor.
The demise of the Igbo apex sociocultural organisation leader was confirmed in an announcement by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Wednesday night.
Obiozor, a former Nigerian Ambassador to three countries, including Israel, Cyprus and the United States, died at the age of 80 after a brief illness.
Buhari extended his heartfelt condolences to Obiozor’s family, the government and the people of Imo State, and Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora.
The president’s condolence message was conveyed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.
Mr. Adesina in the statement titled ‘President Buhari pays tribute to Prof Obiozor, Ohaneze President General’, said Buhari described the death of the Igbo leader as an “immeasurable loss to the country.”
“The President notes that the former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, Ambassador to the State of Israel and former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat,” part of the statement read.
He quoted the president as saying he had fond memories of meeting Obiozor on several occasions and valued his endearing sense of patriotism.
In his announcement on Wednesday night, governor Uzodimma described the late Obiozor as an intellectual whose contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues will be greatly missed.
Uzodinma described Obiozor as a renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat and statesman and a tenacious patriot.
Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, described Obiozor as an erudite scholar of global standard, adding that he was a detribalised patriot.
“Until his death, he was the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization. Obiozor was a prodigy and an enigma of some sort: an erudite reflective scholar of world renown, prophetic intellectual, astute resourceful administrator, sagacious plebian political submarine, seasoned diplomat, cultural reservoir, detribalized patriot, jovial cerebral discussant, among others.
“The most endearing of the Obiozor mystique can be summarised in character; the courage of his convictions, steadfastness and uncompromising commitment to his goals,” Ohanaeze stated.
The apex Igbo group remarked that Obiozor was sometimes misrepresented and misunderstood because of the silent and cautious strategy with which he pursued his goals.
Also reacting to the death of the Ohaneze President General, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, president of Cultural Credibility and Development Initiative (CCDI), described Obiozor as a high flyer in all his life endeavours.
He added that the deceased was very courageous in all his endeavours.
“Prof George Obiozo has been a high flier all his life. In academia, he was a star .
“In political life, he excelled in the appointments he held both during the military and civilian governments.
“In retirement from government services, he was elected the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Jan 20, 2020.
“In almost two years of service, he stood like a rock of Gibraltar, even in the face health challenges.
“We salute him for his Life of service,” Uwazurike, a former president of Igbo think tank group, Aka Ikenga stated.
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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