The Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday evening with other distinguished dignitaries, reminisced on life and times of late Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, concluding that he positively impacted on Nigerians in various ways.
Jonathan specifically said that Chief Iwuanyanwu who was the President General of Ohan’eze Nd’Igbo Worldwide until his demise, should be celebrated for having touched lives of many people with his endowed wisdom and resources.
While speaking at the second phase of service of songs/tributes for Chief Iwuanyanwu held at the National Ecumenical Center, Abuja, Dr. Jonathan noted that as a devote Christian, Chief Iwuanyanwu had prayed for him and the nation when late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was ill and the country was at crossroads.
He further recalled that Chief Iwuanyanwu took him as his son and mentored him in politics since he was still the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
On his part, the Bishop of Abuja and Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba who was represented by Bishop of the Niger Diocese, Bishop Owen Chidozie Nwokolo, said the presence of many people at the service showed the love for the family in their time of grief.
According to him, “it is not how short or how long one lives, but what impact one had made on people around him.”
He said: “It’s not the positions you occupied that matters, but what you achieved and what you would be remembered for. Iwuanyanwu was a household name in Nigeria whose name cannot be easily forgotten.
“He lived 81 years – not wasted years but years of great impact on people, which will not be forgotten in a hurry. What about you?”
Bishop Nwokolo questioned the audience, especially the political and business leaders present at the event, saying “What are people saying about you now, and what will people say when you are gone?”
He further noted that the late Chief Iwuanyanwu impacted on the lives of many people he came in contact with, adding that even though he has gone forever, but he won’t be forgotten.
Also speaking, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate-past Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, said the nation has lost a leader.
According to him, “We have lost our leader, our pathfinder and ambassador extraordinaire.” While observing that God had endowed late Chief Iwuanyanwu with the wisdom of Solomon, the former deputy speaker prayed for the family to bear the loss.
The pioneer editor of Daily Champion newspapers, established by the late Chief Iwuanyanwu in 1988, Mr. Emma Agu, noted that he was privileged to serve the company for 20 years.
Mr. Agu, who rose to become the pioneer Group Managing Director (GMD) of Champion Newspapers, declared that if given another opportunity to work for late Chief Iwuanyanwu, he would be glad to serve again.
Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Senator Ben Obi, in his remarks, described late Chief Iwuanyanwu as a humble and generous man with success stories in sports, philanthropy, media, business and aviation among others.
Late Iwuanyanwu’s youngest son, Emmanuel Jnr, in a touching funeral oration, described his father as an inspiration to many people, never flamboyant with a very humble beginning.
The climax of the event was the rendering of special prayers for the family while one of Chief Iwuanyanwu’s children, Jidechukwu Iwuanyanwu gave the vote of thanks to appreciate all for the support to the family.
Some dignitaries present at the Service were three former Senate Presidents: Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief Adolphus Wabara and Chief Ken Namani; Deputy governor of Imo State, Chinyere Ekomaru; Senator Rochas Okoracha, Senator Uzor Kalu, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Ned Nwoko, Senator Victor Umeh, former Imo state governor, Chief Achike Udenwa; Senator Chris Anyanwu; Publisher of National Accord Newspaper, Mr. Tom Chiahemen; Publisher of Daily Asset Newspapers, Dr. Cletus Akwaya; Publisher of Apex News Exclusive, Mr. Anthony Maliki; Publisher of Sleek News Online, Mr. Andrew Orolua and a Chairmanship aspirant in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Johnchuks Onuanyim.
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