Iwuanyanwu: PANDEF Pays Condolence Visit To Family, Promises To Participate In His Burial

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by elder statesman Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, promised on Sunday to fully participate in the burial of the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Iwuanyanwu’s burial date has been set for November 1, 2024.

PANDEF fulfilled its promise when a delegation led by Ambassador Godknows Igali, former Nigerian ambassador to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, and Federal Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources, paid a condolence visit to the Iwuananwu family in Abuja.

Chinedu, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s second son, and his widow, Chinonyerem, welcomed the delegation.

Ambassador Igali, who represented Chief E.K. Clark, stated that Iwuanyanwu was not only an Igbo leader but also a recognised leader in the South-South geopolitical zone.

Going down memory lane, Ambassador Igali, who harped on the rich culture and traditions that have always been shared by the peoples of the Niger Delta and Ndigbo, said: “We have come to pay our condolences to the Iwuanyanwu family, in particular to the wife and children, and the people of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in general, on the loss of a spectacular and great Nigerian, Chief Engineer Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

“The loss is shared by the people of the Niger Delta and the South-South because he was a leader of not only the Igbo people but also our region of the country.

“He saw us as one, and we accomplished things in the South East because of him, especially since he had a good relationship with our father and leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

“We would like to state today that Chief Iwuanyanwu considered himself a Nigerian who believed that this country should be strong and great based on the principles of truth, justice, and fairness as well as hard work.

“For this reason, we in the region will fully participate in the burial.” We are already members of the committee. “We are already mobilising our kings, chiefs, women, and men to attend the funeral.”

The group praised Chief Iwuanyanwu and urged the Federal Government to immortalise his name.

“We hope that at the appropriate time, the Federal Government will properly immortalise him, as he deserves it.”

Also speaking, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, a member of the PANDEF delegation, stated: “I believe he can be honoured in a variety of ways. As a pan-Nigerian, he deserves to have a large institution named after him. Of course, some roads have already been named after him. But I think a large institution should be named after him.”

The PANDEF delegation was received on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by Simeon Okeke, a former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Senator Ben Obi, and Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Secretary General of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

The Ohanaeze leaders thanked Chief EK Clark for sending such a strong delegation, which included his first son.

Senator Obi agreed with the PANDEF chieftains that President Bola Tinubu’s administration must honour Chief Iwuanynwu.

“The government understands how to immortalise him.” We do not want to suggest that they do this or that. The government recognises that Chief Iwuanyanwu deserves to be immortalised. “I am confident they will do so,” he said.

On his part, Chief Okeke urged the FG to heed the wishes of not only Chief Iwuanyanwu but all Igbos and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Senator Obi, who is a member of the burial committee, stated that the elder statesman will be buried on November 1.

The burial ceremony will begin in Lagos State on Wednesday, October 16 with a day of tributes before moving to Abuja on October 18.

Another day of tributes will be held in Enugu on Saturday, October 26, followed by a song service in his country home, Umuohii Atta, in Imo State’s Ikeduru Local Government Area, on October 29.