ENUGU, Nigeria – Valentine Ozigbo, a 2021 Anambra Governorship Candidate, was one of the distinguished guests at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Sunday, April 30, 2023, as Chief Engr Dr Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu CFR (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), was ratified as the President-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The event took place at the ‘Ohanaeze Imeobi’ general meeting and brought together several prominent Igbo leaders, where several critical issues bordering on the progress of the Igbo tribe were discussed.
The vacuum in the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide was created following the unfortunate passing of Professor George Obiozor in December 2022.
In his speech, Chief Iwuanyanwu thanked all the leaders present for their commitment and support, pledging that his tenure would promote transformation in education, agriculture, industrialisation, electricity/power generation, and health, among others, calling for collective efforts and support of all.
In a congratulatory message to the new President-General, Mr Ozigbo hailed Dr Iwuanyanwu for his towering legacy, which has culminated in his ratification as the leader of Ndigbo worldwide.
“I am delighted to witness with hallmark moment in the history of Ndigbo when one of our most illustrious sons and leaders, Chief Eng Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is given the mantle to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for the coming years,” Ozigbo remarked.
“Over the past few decades, Dr Iwuanyanwu has left his mark as a towering figure with grand achievements in almost all possible spheres of human endeavour.
“As he embarks on this journey, I wish him and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo a fruitful, peaceful, and prosperous tenure that will strengthen the bonds that hold us as Ndigbo, elevate our people, and bring us the necessary development that Igbo land deserves,” Ozigbo, a respected business leader, added.
Some notable Igbo leaders present at the event include His Excellency Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate and two-time Governor of Anambra State; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State; the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, who represented Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, who represented Governor Hope Uzodinma; and the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Dr Kelechi Igwe, who represented Governor Dave Umahi.
Other leaders at the event include former Senate President Chief Adolphus Wabara; the wife of the first President of Nigeria, Dr Mrs Uche Azikiwe; Senator Victor Umeh, the Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone; the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigno, Amb Okey Emuchay; former Presidents-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey and Chief John Nnia Nwodo; Chief Damian Okeke, the former National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; Iyom Josephine Anenih, a former Minister of Women Affairs, and some former and serving legislators, ambassadors, and clergy members.
Several high-ranking traditional events also graced the event, including His Royal Majesty Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha; His Royal Highness Amb Lawrence Agubuzu, the Igwe of Ezema Alo and Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers.
Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu was born on September 4, 1942, in Atta, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied civil engineering. His quest for academic excellence saw him obtain various degrees from Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; University of Jos; University of Calabar; the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Edo State University and the Imo State University.
He was the publisher of Champion Newspapers and has built a conglomerate of over 20 companies, including Iwuanyanwu Holdings & Properties Ltd, Chairman Sunrise Breweries Limited, and Iwuanyanwu National Football Club (now Heartland FC), among others.
Chief Iwuanyanwu remains one of the very few Nigerians to be honoured with three National merit awards, namely Member Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR), Officer Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR), and Commander Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
He was conferred with the “Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo” chieftaincy title by Chairmen of Traditional Rulers representing Ndigbo in the seven states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Imo and Rivers states.
