By Regis Anukwuoji/Enugu
Strident calls and passionate appeals went out in the Coal City of Enugu, the presumed capital of the south-east region, demanding for the imortalisation of the late sage, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the Igbo secessionist leader.
This came at the south-east leg of the tributes and farewell songs in honour of the President-General of Ohanaeze, industrialist and Publisher.
The demands came as various speakers of Igbo extraction at the service of songs/tributes of the late Iwuanyanwu 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 incarceration (custody of the Departments of State Security, DSS).
The prominent voices said that 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. They demanded for the immortalization of the late Ohanaeze PG.
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 Ohanaeze PG 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 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 great frame and personality, acknowledging that Iwuanyanwu’s actions distinguished his personality.
Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Garry Igariwey, described Iwuanyanwu as a man who had strong belief in the Igbo ethnic group. He said the late icon was great in every sense of greatness.
“We crave the indulgence of that to ask Mr. President to please heed the call and release Mazi Kanu,” Igariwey pleaded.
The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okey Emuchay, recalled that Iwuanyanwu never failed to tell his Biafra story and his civil war sojourn.
Prof Uche Azikwe, wife of the first President of Nigeria, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, joined in the plea to the federal government to immortalize Chief Iwuanyanwu.
Ends/