Ohanaeze Ndígbo Adopts Late President General, Joseph Irukwu Into Hall Of Fame

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndígbo on Friday bestowed the prestigious “Hero of Igbo land” on their former President-General, late Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu (SAN).

Hero of Igbo land award is a lifetime honour bestowed on Igbo sons and daughters, especially, elder statesmen who fought and sacrificed their lives for peace, progress and unity of the Igbo race.

This was announced by the incumbent President-General of Ohanaeze Ndígbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, during a commendation service held at the International Conference Center in Umuahia, the state capital in honour of their former President-General, popularly known as J.O Irukwu.

Chief Iwuanyawu, who came in the company of other Abia statesmen, including Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Minister of State for Mines, Sampson Ogah and among described late Irukwu as a proud son of Igbo land, who not only served Igbo land meritoriously, but was committed in championing the Igbo cause till the last days of his life.

The Ohanaeze Ndígbo President-General went ahead to bestow late Irukwu with the prestigious “Hero of Igbo land” honour held by the likes of late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael Okpara, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and among other Igbo sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in various endeavours, stressing that the late Irukwu has been adopted into the Ohanaeze Ndígbo’s Hall of Fame at the Ohanaeze Ndígbo’s headquarters in Enugu, Enugu State.

Chief Iwuanyawu used the opportunity to announce that the Igbo socio-cultural Apex organization would henceforth award presidential honour to any Igbo sons and daughters across the globe that distinguishes themselves in several areas of discipline not limited to science and technology, engineering, arts and among others.

This is as he stated that Igbos are people who believe in excellence, hard work and greatness.

Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha of Methodist Church, Nigeria, in his charge, urged Abians to live life of legacy that would be remembered and emulated by those that they will be leaving behind.

Bishop Onuoha, quoting Proverbs 22:1 and Ecclesiastes 7:1 noted that the only legacy one could bequeath to his children and family is leaving behind a good name which the cleric noted was better than gold.

Recalling his several encounters with the late legal luminary and insurance guru the Methodist cleric described the deceased as a many of many parts and one that was fair in his dealings with the people that encountered him.

He said that the life of the former Ohanaeze President was one that is worthy of emulation.

The governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti in his speech described the deceased as one that brought honour to the state while he lived.

Otti who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Kenneth Kalu while disclosing that the state received the death of late Irukwu as shocking, said that Abia lost an “Elephant” in Irukwu who he described as a great son of Abia.

Otti, who further described the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndígbo as an astute administrator, said it was what saw his emergence as Ohanaeze Ndígbo President-General.

He urged both the Item people, Abians and those who were touched by the death of the late professor of Law to pursue the ideals of the late Abia illustrious son.

Others present at the event include the Chief of Staff to the governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo and among others.