From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed profound gratitude to Nigerians for the uncommon solidarity with the Igbo during the funeral ceremonies of the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

The Igbo apex group in a statement sent by the Secretary General Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide ambassador Okey Emuchay, deeply appreciate Sen.

Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide also appreciate the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for sending a Senate delegation led by Sen.

The apex group further appreciated Chief Olusegun Obasanj, Dr. Goodluck Ebele, Patience Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Amina Ukiwe, Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Uche Azikiwe, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The statement further read this “We lack the appropriate words to thank the South East Governors Forum led by Sen. Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State. Other members of the Forum include Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State; Professor Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State and Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Governor of Ebonyi State.

“The following dignitaries were very awesome in special ways, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State; Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, Peter Obi, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Achike Udenwa, Rochas Anayo Okorocha, Professor Bart Nnaji, Sen. Dave Umahi, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu,  Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband,

“Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, Sen. Pius Anyim, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Sen Adolphus Wabara, the All Progressive Congress (APC) led by  Abdullahi Ganduje, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Sen. Sam Daddy Anyanwu; Sen. Chris Ngige, Professor Anya O Anya,  Chief Nnia Nwodo, Sen. Sam Egwu; Chief SN Okeke, Chief Chekwas Okorie; Sen. Ned Nwoko, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Sen. Anthony Agbo; the Aka Ikenga Lagos, led by Chike Madueke; Sen. Chris Anyanwu,  Chief Fank Nneji.

“The Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla Lt Gen. Azubike Ihejirika,  Rtd; Iyom Josephine Anenih, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa. Dr. Kema Chikwe, Ambassador Tom Aguiyi Ironsi, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, Dr. A BC Orjiakor, Ernest Nwapa, High Chief John Chukwu, Chief Johnson Chukwu and many others too numerous to mention.

“The members of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum led by Chief Edwin Clark, have shown an eternal fidelity; especially Ambassador Godknows Igali, Dr. Ken Robinson, Dr. Alfred Mulade, Dr. Joseph Edet, Chief Dr. Ominimimi Obiuwevbi; the Middle Belt Leaders led by Dr Pogu Bitrus; the Afenifere led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo and represented by His Royal Highness Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Chief Supo Shonibare; the Arewa Consultative Forum led by Mamman Mike Osuman.

“The Clergy, the Laity and the Choir, of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria led by the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba were awesome at all the various Service of Songs in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Owerri and the burial service at Atta, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. We recall with deep attachment the services rendered by His Grace, Professor Emmanuel O. Chukwuma the Emeritus Archbishop of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province; Most Rev. Dr. Blessing Enyindah, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Province; Most Rev Dr. David Onuoha, the Archbishop of Owerri Province; His Eminence, Dr. Kalu Sam Uche, the Emeritus Prelate of the Methodist Church; Rt. Rev. Osondu Ekweremadu, among others.

“We extend our gratitude to the Diplomatic Missions of the USA, UK, China, and several others; the Alumni Association, University of Nigeria; the Nigerian Society of Engineers; the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Owerri; the Imo State Police Command; the Speaker and Members of the Imo State House of Assembly; the Imeobi Ohanaeze, National Executive Committee (NEC) and all the structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; the Association of the South East Town Unions led by Chief Emeka Diwe and Umuada Igbo Nigeria and Diaspora led by Dr. Kate Ezeofor.

 “May God Almighty shower his blessings on each and every one who played roles during the burial rites of the late Igbo Leader,” the statement concluded.