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Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has confirmed the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor.

The Igbo leader’s exit had been widely speculated since Monday, December 26, but was later dispelled by officials of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

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But after about 48hours of uncertainty over the issue, the Imo State Government has officially announced that Obiozor succumbed to the cold hands of death as was being rumoured.

Uzodimma said the stated was saddened by the death of the great son of the state and Nigeria.

The governor who described Obiozor as a renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat and statesman as well as tenacious patriot, said that he passed on recently after a brief illness.

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According to the governor, “The death of this foremost Igbo leader and former Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel, is a big loss to Imo state, the South East and the entire Nigeria. 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 added that his burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.

Frontline ethnic nationality organisations including the Afenifere, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) and Aka Ikenga, in separate reactions noted that the demise of the former Nigerian ambassador to the United States and Israel, as well as High Commissioner to Cyprus, was a great loss to not only Ohanaeze but to Nigeria as a whole and the world in general.

They described Obiozor as a patriot and intellectual, adding that he died at a time his intelligence and patriotism were most needed.

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The groups prayed God to grant the immediate family, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the South East and Nigeria the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Expressing shock, national leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said: “What a pity, it is not time for him to go because he is the kind of man that Nigeria needs at this time. Prof Obiozor is a great patriot, someone who genuinely believes in Nigeria, he was a great ambassador of Nigeria and one of the intellectuals that Nigeria is very proud of, may his soul rest in peace.”

For President of the MBF, Dr Pogu Bitrus, Obiozor’s death is a great loss to the country, even as it is sudden.

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“All of us will have to go one day but Prof Obiozor’s passing is too soon. I would have wished for him to still be around to see the realisation of the Peter Obi phenomenon. May his soul rest in peace.”

President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima described Obiozor as a peace maker, who believes in the unity of Nigeria.

“We first condole his family and the entire Igbo race worldwide. Prof Obiozor was a great man, from the little time I have known him, he has demonstrated that he is a peace-loving man that believes in the unity of the country and an intellectual per excellence. His death is a great loss to Nigeria as a whole, not just to the Igbo. We pray for his soul to rest in peace and for God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in his condolence message said Nigerians and Igbo would miss the Ohanaeze President General.

According to him, Obiozor died when the South East needed him most.

“He served Nigeria diligently and has written his name in the sands of time,” he said.

Similarly, Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) said Nigeria would definitely miss his intellectual prowess.

A statement by the national chairman of the association, Belusohukwu Ewerem read: “There can be no understanding the sting of death, the vacuum it will create in Igboland. South East, Nigerians and indeed the world at large will no doubt miss his intellectual prowess and wisdom.”

Ohanaeze said he was an erudite scholar, seasoned diplomat, resourceful bureaucrat, author, cultural leviathan, political submarine, pathfinder, an Igbo titan of incredible global reckoning, and silent achiever.

The renowned scholar had served Nigeria meritoriously as the director-general, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos; High Commissioner to Cyprus; Nigerian Ambassador to the State of Israel and the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America. He was elected as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Sunday January 10, 2021.

On April 9, this year, shortly after he returned from a brief medical vacation abroad, an array of Igbo dignitaries gathered at the Imo State Government House, Owerri, to celebrate him.

(Sun)