The South East Coalition for Good Governance (SECG) has raised an alarm over the successive demise of notable Igbo leaders in the past two years, describing it as a worrying trend.
Speaking to INNONEWS from Enugu, SECG President, Mr. Dennis Ohakwe expressed concern over the loss of great Igbo leaders who played significant roles in shaping the political and economic trajectory of the Igbo nation.
“It is saddening how we are losing our leaders who significantly played major roles in shaping the political and economic trajectory of Igbo nation,” Ohakwe said.
The SECG President also expressed shock over the death of Ohaneze Ndigbo Leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed on yesterday.
He said his demise has left a vacuum in the leadership of the Igbo nation.
“Iwuanyanwu’s death occurred barely few months after another Igbo leader, former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu passed on,”
“Dr. Onu just died and he is even yet to be buried before we lost Iwuanyanwu,” he added.
Ohakwe noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu died as President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, just like his predecessor, Prof. George Obiozor, who also died in office.
“Dr Obiozor left a legacy of leadership and service to his people when he was President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“We also mourn the demise of Late former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife,” he said.
The SECG President recalled that the Igbo nation had also lost Dr. Mbazuluike Amaechi, a first Republic Minister, one of the finest in Igboland, who strongly agitated for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and many others who had contributed to the development of the region.
“We had also lost a former Minister and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, an elder statesman, Prof Ben Nwabueze. These deaths are worrisome.
“It is saddening how Igbo are losing its finest and best crop of leaders and intellectuals, men of prodigious intellect and solid steel character,” Ohakwe lamented.
The SECG called on the Igbo nation to unite and find a way to preserve the legacy of its leaders, and to ensure that their contributions to progress of Igbo nation are not forgotten.
He condoled with the families of the deceased leaders, praying for their souls to rest in peace, and for the Igbo nation to find the strength to carry on in the face of these losses.
*UPDATED*
