Youth leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu has commended the decision of the South East Governors’ Forum to set up a national burial committee for the late President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024 at the age of 81.
As part of efforts to ensure a befitting burial for the late Igbo leader, the Governors of the five Igbo States had set up a committee to plan the final rites of passage for the deceased.
In a statement on Monday, Mazi Okpalaezeukwu hailed the establishment of the committee for the burial of the late Iwuanyanwu, who he described as an icon, leader, father, hero, and legend.
The Okpalaezeukwu-led Ohaneze Ndigbo youths in the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Chika Adiele expressed the hope that the national burial committee would work harmoniously with the South East Governors, ably led by the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Iwuanyanwu family and other relevant stakeholders, both at home and in diaspora.
He noted that this would ensure that they gave the late Igbo leader a befitting burial.
“Recall that Chief Iwuanyanwu was a multi-dimensional elder statesman and an extraordinary humanist, who in his lifetime touched many lives in unprecedented and diverse ways, especially the youths.
“Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo bestrode our landscape like a Colossus and brought in his finesse and managerial capacity to bear on his short, but most eventful and promising tenure as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“His death has created a vacuum too hard to fill.
“However, we shall take solace in the fact that the Genius lived fulfilled and accomplished life before his departure,” the Igbo youths said.
The group revealed that they were working with other stakeholders to organize a one-day youth event in honour and commemoration of the legacies of the late Ohaneze President General.
“While we congratulate members of the national burial committee, we reaffirm our resolve in solidarity and support for the genuine efforts of the government to create a stable and prosperous nation that shall be the pride of the black man.
“Ahaejiagamba lives on,” they concluded.
