Chairman of Mbaitoli Council of Traditional Rulers, Imo State, His Royal Highness Eze George Eke, has described the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as a great patriot of no mean repute, who placed the unity, oneness and corporate existence of the nation above every other consideration.
This is even as the Chairman of Okigwe Zone Global Elders and Leaders Council, His Royal Highness Oliver Ohanwe, hailed the departed elder statesman as a quintessential of humanitarian services, a redoubtable politician and a lover of humanity.
The two monarchs spoke separately to our correspondent in Owerri during which they enjoined the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, not to be deterred by the exit of the political iroko, renowned promoter of Igbo unity and projector of additional states for the South-East.
Eze Eke, who is the traditional ruler of Isi Ubomiri, said, “I feel sad that God took him away at this time, but as Christians, we cannot question God who gives and takes away life. He built and donated a blood bank to the former General Hospital, now Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri.”
Recalling his intimacy with the departed business mogul, publisher, politician and public opinion moulder, the monarch added, “He was indeed a great man who accepted popular opinions on national issues and who placed the interest of the Igbo race, the nation and Africa above all other agitations.”
In his reaction, Eze Ohanwe, a member of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and traditional ruler of Isiama community, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, said that the late Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader would be remembered for his exemplary human capacity building spirit, projection of national unity, peace, corporate existence, safety of lives and properties of all Nigerians.