By Abiola Olawale
The late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is set to be committed to Mother Earth on November 1, 2024.
The announcement was made by the national burial committee after its inauguration by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state on Tuesday, in Abuja.
The New Diplomat reports that the committee is chaired by former Senator Ben Obi and consists of serving, no-serving senators as members and notable personalities.
Addressing the committee, Uzodinma said the committee was set up to give the late President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo a befitting burial.
He said: “The national committee for the burial of our great leader, Iwuanyanwu, the immediate past President-General of Ndigbo has been constituted.
“The whole idea is to give him a very befitting burial that his status deserves.”
In his acceptance, Ben Obi explained:“The sacrifices he committed to the Igbo nation are admirable by all of us and it is our decision as a people in collaboration with other associations like Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum to make sure that we give him a befitting burial.
“And we are grateful that Uzodinma has made it available for us to meet.
“They have agreed with the Primate of Anglican Church that he will be buried on November 1. We will ensure a befitting burial.”
The New Diplomat reports that Iwuanyanwu, a businessman and politician, known for his significant contributions to various sectors of the country, died on July 25, 2024.
Iwuanyanwu was born on September 4th, 1942 in Atta, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State, Nigeria. He was a civil engineer, industrialist, politician and philanthropist.
Iwuanyanwu attended St. Patrick’s School, Rukpoku, Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 1948 to 1954. He thereafter, enrolled at New Bethel College in Onitsha, Anambra State. He had his undergraduate studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied civil engineering between 1963 and 1970. Other academic exploits he had include the following: a D.Sc. Engineering Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland, USA; L.Ld (Hon) Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; DBA Hon University of Nigeria Nsukka; D.Sc Hon University of Jos; D.Sc Hon University of Calabar; D.Tech Federal University of Technology Owerri; DBA Hon Edo State University and D.Sc (Hon) Engineering, Imo State University.
Iwuanyanwu was one of the few Nigerians who blazed the trail in the elusive search for making the private sector the engine of the national economy.
His pioneering traits took him into newspaper publishing and that move saw the birth of the Champion newspapers.
Iwuanyanwu was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He wss a member of the PDP Board of Trustees.
He has served as Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo State Creation Committee, Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Planning and Strategy Committee, Chairman Ohaneze Political Committee, Board Chairman of Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Board Chairman of Nigerian Investment Promotion, Founding Chairman of Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria, Chairman National Productivity Merit Award, Chairman Nigerian Sports Development Council, Founding Chairman Nigerian National Lottery, Chairman National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos and presently Pro-Chancellor University of Calabar.
He also founded the Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club of Owerri (now Heartland F.C.), which won several national and international championships.
