Elder statesman and businessman Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, will begin his final journey home on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 family sources has confirmed.
Also confirming the funeral rites for the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said his remains will be buried on November 1, 2024.
In a statement, Ogbonnia disclosed that the leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation will receive “exceptional funeral rites.”
According to the funeral programme, detailed by the Chairman of the Central Burial Committee, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, which was announced during the inauguration of the Sub-Committees and Local Organising Committees at the Imo State Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja on Friday, the “Service of Songs” will take place on Tuesday, October 29, in Attah, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
The late Chief Iwuanyanwu will then be interred in his country home, Attah, on November 1, 2024.
The funeral programme also includes elaborate ceremonies in Enugu, where the late Iwuanyanwu’s remains will be taken to the headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at No. 7 Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu.
Additionally, Days of Tributes will be held in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Owerri to honour Chief Iwuanyanwu.
Obi described the late leader as a “global citizen and a nationalist” whose contributions to national development were legendary.
He said: "Iwuanyanwu was a success story in various fields, and he served the Igbo community with remarkable passion, dedication, and sincerity throughout his life.”
Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Abuja after a brief illness. He was aged 82.
He was survived by his wife Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grand children including Dr Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa - Managing Director, Champion Group of newspapers.
He was the 11th President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo after taking over from Professor George Obiozor, who also died in office on December 26, 2022.
Chief Iwuanyanwu made inroads in different sectors of the economy. He floated ABC Merchant Bank, Oriental Airlines, Hardel & Enic Construction Company, and Enic Advertising. He was also into real estate business. The popular Iwuanyanwu Estate Owerri was his own.
But it was football and media that shot him into national and international limelight. When the Imo State Government found it difficult to manage Spartans DC of Owerri, Chief Iwuanyanwu took over the club and renamed it Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC of Owerri.
