Igbos plead for immortalization of Iwuanyanwu, release of Nnamdi Kanu
By Michael Igwe
The demand for the immortalization of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the release of the incarcerated leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took centre stage in Enugu on Saturday as prominent Igbos filed out to pay tributes to the immediate-past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
It was a grand but solemn event tagged “Enugu Day of Tributes” and the South-East leg of the national tributes and farewell songs in honour of the famous industrialist and newspaper publisher, who passed on in July at the age of 81.
The strident calls and passionate appeals came as various speakers of Igbo extraction at the service of songs/tributes, including the Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora, the umbrella body of Igbo Women, joined in the call on the Federal government to release Mazi Kanu from the custody of the Departments of State Security (DSS).
According to the prominent voices, the release of Kanu was Iwuanyanwu’s last assignment from where he passed-on. They thus urged President Bola Tinubu to give Iwuanyanwu his last wish by releasing Kanu, just as they demanded for the immortalization of the late Ohanaeze President-General.
In pleading for his immortalization, the speakers noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu was a full Nigerian by all standards of nationalism, patriotism, and statesmanship.
President-General and founder of Umuada Igbo Nigeria and Diaspora, Kate Ezeofor, said: “May God bless President Bola Tinubu as you oblige us with the immortalizing of Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and releasing of Nnamadi Kanu from DSS custody.”
Speaking at Iwuanyanwu’s laying-in-state at the old Eastern Nigeria Government Lodge in Enugu, Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State described the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as an Iroko and a bridge-builder who he said fostered unity each time there was trouble.
“He possessed remarkable work ethics, and he left a profound impression on me. He was a trailblazer in the media, sports, industry, engineering, and aviation. He was indeed ahead of his time,” Mbah eulogized.
Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu, in his own tribute, said that Iwuanyanwu was a great man with a great frame and personality, acknowledging that Iwuanyanwu’s actions distinguished his personality.
One-time President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Garry Igariwey, described Iwuanyanwu as a man who had a strong belief in the Igbo ethnic group, adding that the late icon was great in every sense of greatness.
“We crave the indulgence of the late Iwuanyanwu to ask Mr. President to please heed the call and release Mazi Kanu,” Igariwey pleaded.
The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, recalled that Iwuanyanwu never failed to tell his Biafra story and his civil war sojourn.
Prof Uche Azikiwe, wife of the first President of Nigeria, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, joined in the plea to the federal government to immortalize Chief Iwuanyanwu.
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