By Awesome Ekene
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide has allayed fears of conflicts with its funeral committee and those of Central Planning Committee (CPC) as well as Local Organising Committee (LOC) constituted for the November 1 burial ceremony of the immediate past President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Deputy National Youth Leader, FCC Jones Onwuasoanya, in a statement said the clarification became necessary following series of phone calls he received from respected friends and associates questioning the purpose of the Youth Funeral Committee for the late elderstateman.
He said it would be a mark of ingratitude if the youth wing of the apex Igbo organization was not fully involved in the burial of a man who lived all his life improving the lot of thousands of Igbo youths, and especially, given that he died in the course of serving Igbo land.
Describing late Iwuanyanwu as a father, Onwuasoanya, who doubles as Secretary, Igbo youth burial Committee, said the youths, like responsible children, would stop at nothing in ensuring that they accorded him any honour they could afford.
The statement reads: “In the last few hours, I have received phone calls from respected friends and associates trying to inquire about the purpose of the Youth Funeral Committee for Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu inaugurated by the National Executive Committee of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide in Owerri, yesterday.
“Some wondered if the Youth Funeral Committee will run in conflict with the Central Planning Committee inaugurated by His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON and chaired by an eminent Igbo leader, Distinguished Senator Ben Obi or the Local Organising Committee also under the auspices of the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum and chaired by Chief Charles Amadi.
“Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu – Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, CFR, OFR, MFR, was the 11th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and, arguably, one of Igbo land’s most respected leaders, entrepreneurs and mentors. Throughout his life, he directly impacted the lives of thousands of his mentees who cut across Igbo land and Nigeria. He was one of the most intentional wealth creators and destiny helpers ever to walk the surface of Ala Igbo.
“At Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, we feel a genuine sense of indebtedness to him, not just because of the exceptional leadership he showed during his short stint as the PG, but also, for his direct and unforgettable interventions which led to the revival of the youth wing.
“As a passionate believer in youth development and leadership training, it is to his credit that the youth wing was created, because as the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, he recommended the formation of the Youth Wing and other critical organs.
“Many years later when the painful death of another dear father of ours, His Excellency Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, left a vacuum in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, he came out of retirement, and injected a new life to the organisation, including, the youth wing, which had been moribund, for several months following our election in August 2021.
“The Youth Funeral Committee is the least of our tokens of gratitude for a man who lived all his life improving the lot of thousands of Igbo youths, and especially, given that he died in the course of serving Igbo land. Ahaejiagamba is our father, and like responsible children, we would stop at nothing in ensuring that we accord him any honour we can afford.
“Let me make it clear, to those who inquire, that I feel greatly honoured, to be among the youths of Igbo land to take part in this epochal event, as the Secretary of the Central Planning Committee for the Igbo Youths Funeral programme for Ahaejiagamba.
“The Youth Funeral Committee is not and does not need to be in competition with the Central Planning Committee or the Local Organising Committee. We are already reaching out to the leadership of the various committees, to assist them in any way we can, towards honouring our father, and making sure that his funeral goes without any hitch.
“There wouldn’t have been any need to hire outsiders to provide any of the services that the youths can provide, and we would be glad to render these services for our father, without collecting a dime.
“One of the key programmes we have already outlined for this great sage is an economic summit and Youth Day of Tributes dedicated to his honour.
“As a renowned entrepreneur and one of the wealthiest Nigerians of his time, we feel, it would be appropriate to use the occasion of this funeral to emphasize the leadership and entrepreneurial qualities that stood him out among his peers, and hope that our fellow youths shall imbibe this same spirit for their own personal growth and development.
“It is important to state that we have taken time to ensure that none of the programmes proposed by the youth wing shall conflict with any of the programmes of the Central Planning Committee or the LOC.
“This occasion also aims to erase the erroneous notion that the Igbo do not respect their kings or “Igbo enwe Eze”. We shall demonstrate to the world that indeed, the youths of Ala Igbo respect our own and accord honour to whom it is due. His funeral would be incomplete if there is no dedicated programme by the youths in his honour.
“In Igbo culture, a man of Ahaejiagamba’s stature deserves as many honours as he can get, even in death, and the idea of a youth funeral programme for the purpose of immortalizing him, is something I expected not to generate any form of controversy or suspicion, because Igbo culture allows for legends of Ahaejiagamba’s stature to be celebrated by as many people and as many organisations as feel he made positive impacts on their lives.
“It is my earnest hope that everyone who truly loved and respected Ahaejiagamba would give their best support to the programmes of the Youth Funeral Committee as this is an honour he truly deserves.
“Going by the spirit already exhibited by the over 63 member committee of eminent Igbo youths, there is no doubt, that this shall go a long way in complementing the efforts of our fathers, while we shall be glad to make our mark in making our father proud even as he journeys to the great beyond.
“The soul of Ahaejiagamba is resting in peace.”
