Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday, described late President-General of the Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a citizen, who was a Nigerian Ibo, rather than an Ibo Nigerian.

Iwuanyanwu, one of the Nation’s most intrepid entrepreneurs, died on Thursday, at age 82.

In a condolence letter made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo remarked that Iwuanyanwu “was imbued with an undying love for his people which informed his acceptance to serve as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, so as to assist in ministering to, and advocating for their needs and truly.

“He was committed to the development and global vision of his people and the entire South-Eastern region of Nigeria till he breathed his last. He was a Nigerian Ibo rather than an Ibo Nigerian.

Obasanjo in the condolence letter to Jide Iwuanyanwu for the deceased family states, “I received the news of the death of my friend, brother and one of our nation’s most intrepid entrepreneurs, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, with mixed feelings of sadness and gratitude to God.

“I was sad because we will miss his contribution to the building of a new Nigeria of his dream but I am grateful to God for such a life well spent in the service of our fatherland.

“It is certainly not by accident that Iwuanyanwu is a household name throughout the country today even though ordinarily it should have been quite unpronounceable to any but the indigenous Igbo tongue. This is typical of the man behind the name. I met Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu many years ago and over this period, we established a relationship based on mutual respect for each other and deep appreciation of each others capabilities and attributes.”

“Chief Iwuanyanwu revelled in overcoming obstacles. To most Nigerians, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s claim to fame in his proprietorship of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, truly one of the outstanding football clubs on the continent, is remarkable. But it must be obvious to all observers that the same dedication, organizational ability, acumen and strong social motivation which gave birth to the famous Club found expression in many other facets of the Chief’s life in which he succeeded beyond the common measure.

“He was a patriot and nationalist of no mean order. He belonged to that rare breed of Nigerians whose interests and associations cut across all sections of authentic heroes and role models to the youths of the nation symbolizing the finest qualities of the traditional and the modern.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu’s insatiable drive for success propelled him across several frontiers and made him a shining demonstration of what can be achieved when hard-work, perseverance, grit and intelligence are applied to seemingly insoluble problems.

“In philanthropy, he awarded scholarships to over 5,000 indigent studies across Nigeria; he built and equipped a blood bank for Imo State Government; built over one billion naira Cathedral for St. Matthew Anglican Church Atta, Ikeduru LGA; built classroom blocks, hostels for several schools, donated majorly for the building of Imo Airport; and continued, until his death, to give massively to religious bodies including Churches and Mosques.

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“It is also worthy of note that Chief Iwuanyanwu acquitted himself as a peace-loving, unassuming and committed patriot. He was a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance. Until his death, he built for himself an impressive profile of immense goodwill and affection among his people.

“He was imbued with an undying love for his people which informed his acceptance to serve as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo so as to assist in ministering to, and advocating for their needs and truly, he was committed to the development and global vision of his people and the entire South-Eastern region of Nigeria till he breathed his last. He was a Nigerian Ibo rather than an Ibo Nigerian.

“Inevitably, such an illustrious life has attracted a galaxy of honours from the nation, the church, academia, business community, traditional institutions, international professional bodies and social organizations which partially reflect the multiplicity of Chief’s attainments.