Governor Sanwo-Olu, former Commonwealth Secretary General Anyaoku, others eulogise Iwuanyanwu at Lagos day of tributes

Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Family, friends and other Nigerians including Lagos State Governor and a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth paid tribute to late President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and business mogul, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

They spoke at a service of songs/night of tributes in honour of Iwuanyanwu at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, describing him as a quintessential gentleman, who had much influence.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Iwuanyanwu was a man of great vision, passion and much energy. “His life was a testament of what it means to be a real leader.“

Sanwo-Olu said he was a patriot and a dedicated servant to the growth and progress of not only the Igbo land, but of Nigeria in general.

“In every role he undertook, he embodied excellence and left a lasting legacy,“ the Governor said.

Sanwo-Olu also described Iwuanyanwu as an enviable business conglomerate with his contributions in the media space which gave birth to Champion Newspapers.

He amplified the voice of the less privileged and gave hope to the hopeless, strengthening the voice of free press in our country.

A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Dr Emeka Anyaoku, described Iwuanyanwu as a true Nigerian and professional, a devoted leader of his people in the world and, an exceptional Nigerian patriot.

“Only last May, he joined former President Obasanjo and I in writing letters to the five governors of the South-East Zone, inviting them to a meeting with us to discuss  collaboration in the development of the zone.

“Unfortunately, Chief Iwuanyanwu was not able to attend the meeting which former President Obasanjo and I had with the five governors.

“He was not able to attend the meeting at the last minute because of illness,” Anyaoku said.

Also speaking, retired Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Reverend Dr. Samuel Kalu Uche, noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu laboured for the unity of Nigeria since the civil war period.

According to him, “people are still being oppressed and marginalised in Nigeria causing inequality in the nation. That is why a Yoruba man went to London recently to request for Yoruba Nation yet, he was not arrested.”

The cleric called on President Bola Tinubu to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally, adding that this should be done for unity, love and peace to reign.

He further said Chief Iwuanyanwu died as a Christian who ‘had no skeleton in his cupboard’ and had gone to be with the Lord.

Giving her tribute, the first daughter of the celebrated icon and Group Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Dr. Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, adored her father as a superhero who believed in female children.

Dr. Iheakanwa, who disclosed that she was her father’s only child for nine years before the arrival of other siblings, said Chief Iwuanyanwu was a true gift, duty-bound and proud of all his children.

“He has been through a lot in politics, business and even health yet he remained strong. I thank God for the life he lived and for always answering my prayers whenever my dad was sick. I can’t believe that he is gone. Please, keep praying for us. We really need strength,” she said.

Amongst prominent Nigerians who graced the occasion were, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, Senator Ben Obi, former Chief of General Staff Ubitu Ukiwe, Prof. Anya O Anya, Publisher of Vanguard, Sam Amuka Pemu, and one-time Chief of Naval Staff, retired Admiral Allison Madueke.

Chief Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024 at age 82.