What future for Ohanaeze Ndigbo as Obiozor loses

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor submitted to the cold hands of death on December 26, 2022. This was almost two years after his election. Obiozor from Awo-Omamma, Oru East Council of Imo State was elected on January 10, 2020. He was 80 years old. He celebrated his last birthday on August 15, 2022.

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, confirmed his death on Wednesday evening, ending several days of rumors and speculation about his disappearance. the Executive Governor of Imo State, announces with sadness the passing of a great son of Imo State and Nigeria, the Chairman General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor.

“A renowned scholar, outstanding diplomat, statesman and tenacious patriot, Professor George Obiozor died recently after a brief illness. Israel is a great loss for Imo State, the South East and the whole of Nigeria. “I have no doubt that Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.”

Reacting to his death on Thursday, the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, expressed his deep sadness at this development, stressing that "it is a tragic development, especially now that the Igbo are looking for the opportunity to be fully integrated into the mainstream of the country's affairs "beyond", adding that "he remained a true and patriotic Igbo until his death. His fatherly advice and guidance will surely be missed. »

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, whom he served until his death, said: "Obiozor was a prodigy and something of an enigma: a thoughtful and erudite scholar of world renown, a prophetic intellectual, an astute and full administrator of resources, a shrewd Phoebian political submarine, a seasoned diplomat, a cultural reservoir, detribalized patriot, jovial cerebral discussant, among others. Obiozor's most endearing mystique can be summed up in his character; the courage of his convictions , his consistency and his uncompromising commitment to his goals.Obiozor has at times been bent and misunderstood due to the cautious and quiet strategy and tactics with which he pursues his goals, but behind the great director was a rare and perfect gentleman with immense proportions.

Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo umbrella organisation, added that the global academic community has lost a lot with Obiozor's passing. "Obiozor will be remembered as a man who displayed extraordinary intellect, irrepressible courage, frankness, tolerance, big heart and equanimity; he sacrificed his personal comfort in the service of the Igbo nation. What distinguishes Obiozor among his peers, it is his unique intellectual magic, his deep sense of humor, his extraordinary creative imagination, his rationality, his lucidity, his unwavering determination and his incandescent passion with which he pursues his views even in the most difficult circumstances. hostile or complex," he said. Founder and former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ambassador , Professor George Obiozor, the highly respected General Chairman of Ohanaeze Worldwide. His death left a huge void in the leadership of Ohanaeze. He brought intellectual depth, maturity, frankness ise, incomparable courage and diplomatic sense in his direction of Ohanaeze. The Ndigbo are by nature very critical and republican. Our expectations of our leaders are generally high.

"Professor Obiozor excelled and fulfilled his mandate perfectly. When it was the turn of Imo State to hold the high office of General Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the State presented an array of highly qualified people who made the competition lively and very competitive.When all factors were considered, Professor George Obiozor emerged the undisputed choice of the overwhelming majority of the important and unprecedented delegates of the Ohanaeze leaders of the 36 States of the Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory and Igbo Diaspora leadership.

"Professor Obiozor spoke truth to power and was a strong advocate for a united Nigeria where justice, fairness and equity will reign supreme. The cold hand of death interrupted the tenure of the Professor George Obiozor as the General Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. He will be greatly missed by Nigerians, the diplomatic community and Ndigbo in particular. May his noble soul rest in peace."

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