The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has established a funeral planning committee to honor the legacies of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away while serving as the President General of the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, who took over as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide following the death of Prof. George Obiozor, died on July 25, 2024.
The youth wing expressed its commitment to “acknowledge Iwuanyanwu’s extensive contributions and developmental efforts over his six decades of dedicated service to Igbo land and Nigeria as a whole, particularly in relation to the formation, sustainability, and advancement of the apex Igbo sociopolitical and cultural body.”
The group also praised the late elder statesman for his initiatives aimed at stabilizing the leadership within the youth wing.
During a press conference led by Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the Acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the group emphasized its ongoing communication with Iwuanyanwu’s family and its determination to provide him with the highest honors befitting his service to the Igbo community and Nigeria.
The youth wing stated that commemorating the late Iwuanyanwu aims to immortalize his legacy and ensure its continuity.
“In this regard, we have formed a funeral planning committee dedicated to celebrating his legacies, especially their impact on the youth. We will keep the public informed as we move forward.
“We are also taking steps to collaborate with relevant authorities to secure lasting peace, security, and economic stability in the South-East,” Okpalaezeukwu remarked.
Additionally, the Ohanaeze youths urged the Federal Government to release detained Igbos across the nation, including Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“We would like to reiterate our call for a prompt review and fair administration of justice for the many Igbo youths held as Awaiting Trial Inmates in various detention centers across the country.
“We are working with relevant authorities to secure the release of innocent youths, while also urging His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, in line with his commitment to healing the wounds from the Civil War, to utilize his constitutional powers to facilitate the release of our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Furthermore, we urge Igbo youths to uphold peace and resist attempts by malicious elements to lead them toward violent and destructive actions against our homeland,” Okpalaezeukwu added.
