JUST IN: Ohanaeze Ndigbo president, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is dead
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is dead.
His son Jide Iwuanyanwu confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, Jide said the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday after a brief illness.
“The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” the statement read.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”
Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children, and grandchildren.
The statement stated that the burial details would be announced later by the family after due consultations.
The late Iwuanyanwu was born on September 4, 1942, to Pa Bernard Iwuanyanwu and Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
He was a Nigerian politician and businessman, considered one of the richest Igbo men in the country.
He emerged as the 11th President-General of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation on April 20, 2023.
Iwuanyanwu succeeded George Obiozor who led the Ọhanaeze Ndigbo for two years but died on December 29, 2022.