The Secretary-General of the body, Amb. Okey Emuchay, announced this on Saturday, while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council’s, NEC, second emergency meeting held at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat, Enugu.

Emuchay said that the late diplomat would be buried in his home-town, Awo-Omamma, in Imo on Saturday, February 10.

He said: “As you are aware, our Deputy President-General, High Chief Joel Kroham, who also died last year will be buried on Saturday, February 4 at Ahoda in Rivers.

“We are going to have a valedictory session at our national secretariat in the particular building renovated during his tenure and the present building where we hold our Imeobi meetings.

“We are going to have activities to honour him at other state Ohanaeze chapters, especially Lagos, and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he served as Director-General.

“Other groups and chapters of the apex Igbo socio-cultural in Abuja want to organise events to also honour him.

“We as NEC members will also have our own valedictory session to honour him.”

Emuchay said that a one-time P-G of the group, Chief Garry Igariwey, was appointed the chairman of the burial committee, while the Imo Chapter President, Mr C.B. Ihenedu, would serve as the Secretary.

He said that all the NEC members, plus other state chapter members and stakeholders of the body, would serve as committee members.

He said that NEC agreed to constitute a Central Planning Committee and other special sub-committees to organise a befitting burial for the deceased.

Emuchey lamented that it was the first time in the history of Ohanaeze, that two vital seats of the body would become vacant and with two of its helms men in the mortuary at the same time.

“But Ohanaeze wants to assure everybody that the ship of the group is in safe hands.

“We will pass through this very difficult period with grace and get stronger,” he said.

Emuchay said that the body would make sure that the two leaders and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, were all accorded befitting burials.

He appealed to Ohanaeze members and its various chapters and structures in Nigeria and in Disapora to take out time to be part of the ceremonies.

According to him, the various chapters and structures have been directed to open condolence registers for people to have the opportunity to say goodbye to our great brothers.

“Formal letters will go to the governors of the seven Ohanaeze states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers, leaders of our partners in Southern Nigeria, Middle Belt and Northern Elders’ Forums.

“We’ve been in touch with them and they are shocked at what happened.

“So, we will write to them formally as we have done for the seven governors,” he said.

He further said that the group would write other eminent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to convey the new burial date to them.

The one-time Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Cyprus and Ambassador to Israel and the U.S. was elected Ohanaeze P-G on January 9, 2021.

He died on December 26, 2022 at the age of 80.

Source: NAN

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Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, announced the passing of the distinguished academic and diplomat, Obiozor, Wednesday evening in Owerri, the state capital.

Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the career of Professor Obiozor, who was at various times the Director-General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Ambassador of Nigeria to United States, Ambassador of Nigeria to Israel and High Commissioner of Nigeria to Cyprus, made the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader one of the foremost patriots who served the country with diligence, honour and integrity.

The APC presidential candidate in his condolence message to the family, government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo and Nigerians noted that Ambassador Obiozor served the country with pride and distinction, lamenting, however, that death had once again robbed Nigeria of one of its finest statesmen.

Asíwájú Tinubu said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Ambassador George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. This great Igbo leader and Nigeria’s elder statesman was a distinguished academic and diplomat who served his people and entire country with honour, dedication and distinction.

“Ambassador Obiozor’s death at this time has again robbed our dear country of one of its finest public servants and committed leaders. As the leader of Ohanaeze, Ambassador Obiozor championed the course of national unity and economic development while seeking a more equitable and even-handed federation where all the constituent units and ethnic groups can live together in peace and harmony.

“The ideals of a better and more inclusive country where justice and equity would prevail, which Ambassador Obiozor lived for will forever be cherished. On behalf of my family, I commiserate with the family of our departed statesman, the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, government and people of Imo State and the entire Igbo people over the passing of Ambassador Obiozor. May God Almighty comfort his loved ones and all those he left behind and also grant his soul eternal rest.”

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He extended his heartfelt condolences to Obiozor’s family, the government and people of Imo State as well as Ndigbo, at home and in the Diaspora, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina.

Describing his demise as an immeasurable loss to the country, the president was said to have noted that the former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, Ambassador to the State of Israel and former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat.

The president said he believed that the contributions of the unique leader and strong proponent of peace and a stable polity, who also held other strategic public positions, would never be forgotten.

Buhari said he trusted that all who mourned the demise of the statesman, who commanded great respect among his peers in the academia and foreign policy arena, would honour his memory by actively embracing his beliefs and ideas geared towards uniting Nigeria beyond geo-political considerations.

The president was said to have fond memories of meeting Prof. Obiozor on several occasions, and valued his endearing sense of patriotism.

He joined the Igbo nation in mourning the irreparable loss of this great son of Nigeria, even as he prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.

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His death was announced by the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.

The announcement was made in an obituary by the governor in Owerri on Wednesday.

Describing his death as a huge loss to Imo State, the South-East and Nigeria in general, Uzodimma said he was a “renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat and statesman and a tenacious patriot.”

The deceased was Nigerian ambassador to the United States and Israel.

The governor prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Said he: “On behalf of the government and people of Imo State, I  sorrowfully announce the passage of a great Son of Imo State and Nigeria, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George OBIOZOR.

“I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.” Uzodimma said.

The governor promised that the burial arrangements would be announced in due course by the family.

Source: NAN

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The president, who condemned the violence in the subregion urged everyone to maintain peace, adding that the law and order capabilities in the Southeast were being strengthened.

He said while that was being done, the people of Imo State in particular and the subregion in general should maintain peace as the police and other agencies were working to ensure that normalcy was restored at the earliest.

The president extended sympathies to the police authorities over the losses of men and materials, and to Professor Obiozor who he urged to maintain his commitment to the peace and oneness of the federation against “these senseless terrorists.”

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Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina on Thursday, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor, said the “dangerous rumour or statement is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us.”

Obiozor in his address titled “Violence in any part of Lagos State is violence on all of us” said Ndigbo could not indulge in any act that would harm the harmonious peace and cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba, especially Lagos, which he described as second home of several Ndigbo.

The leader of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organization also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the exemplary leadership he exhibited at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, adding that the governor deserved commendation for controlling and restricting the speed of coronavirus with his quick response.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, during a Security Townhall Meeting at the Lagos State secretariat, attended by Governor Sanwo-Olu, and other principal officials in Lagos State on Monday, said there were plans by some groups, which include IPOB to attack ‘soft spots’ in the state.

But responding to the statement, Prof. Obiazor said Igbo nation was renowned for being agents of development and not destruction.

“Today, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in the company of Igbo Elders and Leaders in Lagos, are here to pay you (Governor Sanwo-Olu) a solidarity visit and to further reassure you that Ndigbo are not violent in nature, neither are we known for acts of violence anywhere we live.

“The constant and periodic dangerous insinuations, rumour, gossips and callous statements that Ndigbo in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land contemplate or instigate violence in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land; we wish to state clearly that anywhere this dangerous rumour or statement is emanating from is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us.

“We think that this rumour is intended to distract the Lagos State Government from its efforts to provide good governance for all and cause disaffection between Ndigbo who live in Lagos and their host community which is the second home of several Ndigbo.

“The quick denial of this rumour by members of IPOB and Yoruba groups in Lagos and across the South West was a source of relief,” he said.

Prof. Obiozor also reiterated Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s total support for Lagos State Government and the security agencies’ patriotic efforts to keep everyone safe in the state and throughout the country.

“I am aware that the government and good people of Lagos State under your able leadership, and through their hospitable gestures, have continually kept the trust and friendship between Ndigbo and our host communities in Lagos State alive.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo through this medium reiterates total support to the state government and the security agencies in their patriotic efforts to keep everyone safe in Lagos and throughout the country. The Igbo nation is renowned for being agents of development, not destruction. Ndigbo are builders and their contributions to the development of Lagos State are evident and exemplary,” he said.

Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership of continuous good governance, security of lives and properties of all residents in Lagos State.

The governor said he had no doubt that the Ndigbo were great people, noting that his administration would continue to foster harmonious relationships with all the different tribes and ethnic nationalities in the state.

The courtesy visit was at the instance of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, to clear the air on the rumoured attacks on Lagos by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

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The party also extolled the leaders and the people of the South-East for their democratic credentials evinced in the successful election of a new leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.

The party described Obiozor as a seasoned administrator, excellent diplomat, courageous nationalist and a firm voice in the fight for the entrenchment of democratic tenets of the rule of law, social justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect, true federalism and a credible electoral process in Nigeria.

The PDP said it noted the choice of Prof. Obiozor to lead the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at “this critical time in the history of our nation, particularly given his doggedness in fighting for constitutional all-inclusiveness as well as elimination of all forms of social injustice, divisiveness, nepotism, sectional marginalisation, constitutional violations and disregard for the sensibilities of the Nigerian people.”

The party added: “Our party therefore urges Prof. Obiozor to use his new assignment to further rally compatriots in our collective determination to rescue our nation from misrule and return her to the path of peace, national cohesion, mutual respect, adherence to the rule of law, social justice credible elections, economic prosperity and political stability.”

The PDP commended the outgoing leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief John Nwodo, for a very fruitful tenure and urged the new leadership to continue on the path of success already laid by successive leadership of the organisation.

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The president made the charge on Monday in a message of congratulation to Obiozor, just as he said all hand must be on deck for the unity and forward movement of the country.

“We need all hands to be on deck for this country to move forward in peace and unity,” the president said.

Welcoming the new position of Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus, the president urged the eminent diplomat and scholar to deploy his immense experience within and outside government to forge greater unity of the country.

According to President Buhari, “Given Prof. Obiozor’s rich background, especially, in international affairs and pan-Nigerian commitment, I have little doubt that his election is well-deserved and will serve not only the interest of Ndigbo, but also that of his fatherland.”

He said he wished the former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) a successful tenure.

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A former Nigerian ambassador to the United States, the new President General of the group was elected on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State.

He polled 304 votes to emerge the leader.

His closest rival, Valentine Oparaocha, polled 15 votes.

Three persons who had signified interest to contest the election, Chukwunyere Nwaebo, Goddy Uwazuruike and Uju Okoro, stepped down for Obiozor before the election was conducted.

The election followed a motion dissolving the executive of the body, led by John Nwodo.

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