From Paul Orude Bauchi
The Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) has described the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a big blow to Igbo residing in northern Nigeria.
The President General of IDA, Chief Kenneth Okeugo, disclosed this in an interview with Daily Sun.
The 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25 after a brief illness.
“I was with him last month and we discussed a lot of things that had to do with Igbos,” Chief Okeugo stated.
“He was somebody that had affected us positively in many forms.
“This was a man that had fought during the civil war, had the privilege even after the civil war to guide Nigerian troops to where landmines are kept so that those who are returning, the civilians returning from bushes will not fall prey to the landmines.
“This man has brought leadership to Ohaneze Ndigbo, especially in the North. We feel so sad because he has been there for us.
“You call him anytime of the day, anytime of the night not minding his age he will pick your call and give you solutions and answers to questions. His death is a big blow, everybody is mourning”
Chief Okeugo said Igbo in the 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have been instructed to open a register for Igbos to pay their last respect to him.
“We are organizing our people for the burial day to be announced so that we can show our appreciation,” he said.
“He was a great man. We will surely miss him”