The final rites of passage for Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a distinguished Nigerian and former Ohanaeze Ndigbo president-general, commenced in Lagos with a tribute day.
Eminent attendees, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hailed him as a national icon and champion of development.
The ceremony featured hymns, scriptural readings, and cultural presentations, celebrating his life and legacy.
Paying his tribute, Chief Anyaoku said that Chief Iwuanyanwu was a true icon and would continue to be remembered as a true Nigerian patriot and extraordinary businessman who left behind a great legacy.
“ Iwuanyanwu, a renowned engineer, founded a successful construction company and made significant contributions to developing infrastructure in Nigeria.
“His expertise extended to asphalt companies, playing a crucial role in building highways and runways across the nation.
“Beyond his business acumen, Iwuanyanwu was a dedicated leader of his people. He was deeply involved in the affairs of his community and was an unwavering advocate for the development of the Southeast Zone in Nigeria", said Anyaoku.
Chief Anyaoku noted that not long, Chief Iwuanyanwu, former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and himself convened a meeting with South East Governors to chart a way for the development of the region, but the late elder statesman could not attend the meeting because of his ill health, describing his death as a huge loss to the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole.
On his part, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu eulogized Chief Iwuanyanwu as one who dedicated his entire life to working for the development of not just Igboland but Nigeria as a whole.
He said the fallen hero embodied excellence, the life of a true Nigerian, and a " giant of our time".
The governor highlighted Iwuanyanwu’s significant contributions to various sectors, including business, media, and youth development.
He commended the late businessman for building the Iwuanyanwu Group into a thriving conglomerate and for founding the Champion newspaper, which amplified the voices of the less privileged.
According to him, "He was indeed a giant of his time, and we will certainly mourn his pattern. We are certainly comforted by the great legacy of integrity, the legacy of nation building, compassion, and ensuring that no one is left behind, that he has indeed left us behind, and therefore, on behalf of the people and government of Lagos State, want to extend our heartfelt condolences to members of the family, to all friends, to all Associates, and everyone".
"His life was a testament to what it means to be a real leader. He was a patriot and a dedicated servant of the growth and progress of not only the Igbo but of Nigeria in general.
" He embodied excellence and left, indeed, a lasting legacy as a business icon.
"His contribution to the media space gave birth to what we know today as a Champion Newspaper. It amplified the voice of the less privileged and he gave hope to the hopeless, Strengthening the voice of the Free Press in our country.
The Emeritus Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence stated that the late President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worked tirelessly for the enthronement of a nation where no one is oppressed, urging the country’s leadership to make sure their policies promote fairness, equity, and justice for lasting peace to be achieved.
Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Senator Ben Obi said that Nigeria has lost a great man of peace and unity, whose legacies would continue to be remembered and appreciated by generations to come.
Recounting fond memories about her father, the first child of the diseased, Nwadiuto said that despite his tight schedules, her father created time to be with them and attended to their needs.
Nwadiuto in an emotion-laden voice, said their father believed strongly in women's emancipation, saying they would continue to mourn his demise because he meant so much to them.
Nwadiuto said: “My father, my strength, my superhero, my encourager — the man who believed in a female child,” recalling the deep bond she shared with her father.
She stated “He carried the world on his shoulders. As a young person, my father would fly from Europe in the morning just to visit me at school. He was a very duty-bound father.”
During the event, special prayers were offered for Nigeria, the church, and the bereaved family.
A man of many parts, Chief Iwuanyanwu with a traditional title, ahaejiagamba of Indigbo” meaning a great name to ride upon to go places”, was an engineer of repute who owned many companies to his name.
Born on September 4, 1942, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, OFR, and MFR is a fellow of a long list of professional bodies and has won many international honourary awards.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included: Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Alison Madueke; Publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Amb Greg Mbadiwe.
Others included former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; renowned Professor of Economics and erudite technocrat, Prof. Anya Anya; Prof Barth Nnaji who was represented by his wife and numerous other Nigerians.
Traditional leaders from the Lagos State graced the occasion to pay their respect to the fallen hero.
Late Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu will be buried in his hometown in Imo State on the 1st of November.
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