Family, friends and other Nigerians, including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Wednesday paid tribute to the late President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, 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 State.
They described him as a quintessential gentleman, who had much influence.
Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024 during an illness.
Sanwo-Olu said Iwuanyanwu was a man of great vision, passion and much energy.
He said: “His life was a testament of what it means to be a real leader.
“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.”
Sanwo-Olu also described Iwuanyanwu as an enviable business conglomerate.
He added: “His contributions in the media space gave birth to what we know today as the Champion Newspaper.
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“He amplified the voice of the less privileged and gave hope to the hopeless, strengthening the voice of free press in our country.
“His commitment to youth development is equally inspiring.”
Anyaoku described Iwuanyanwu as a true Nigerian and professional.
He said: “He was a devoted leader of his people in the world and, at the same time, an exceptional Nigerian patriot.
“Only last May, he joined former President (Olusegun) 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.”
In her tribute, Iwuanyanwu’s daughter, Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, described her father as her strength, superhero and encourager.
Iheakanwa said: “He was a very duty-bound father; he loved me and all of us too much.
“My dad was so particularly proud of his children; many people did not know I was his only child for nine years.
“The 10th year, my sister came.
“For my father, I was a girl and a boy; he would teach me the ropes and things to do.”
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