Nigerian leaders and groups yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late president-general of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor.
The eminent scholar, former envoy and Igbo leader was confirmed dead at the age of 80 on Wednesday by the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
In his condolence message yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor George Obiozor, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, worldwide.
He extended heartfelt condolences to Obiozor’s family, the government and people of Imo State as well as Ndigbo, at home and in the Diaspora.
Describing his demise as an immeasurable loss to the country, the President in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina noted that the former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, Ambassador to the State of Israel and former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat.
The president believed that the contributions of the unique leader and strong proponent of peace and a stable polity, who also held other strategic public positions, will never be forgotten.
Buhari trusts that all who mourn the demise of the statesman, who commanded great respect among his peers in the academia and foreign policy arena, will honour his memory by actively embracing his beliefs and ideas geared towards uniting Nigeria beyond geo-political considerations.
The president has fond memories of meeting Obiozor on several occasions, and values his endearing sense of patriotism.
He joined the Igbo nation in mourning the irreparable loss of this great son of Nigeria, even as he prays for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
In his tributes, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed sadness over the passing of Obiozor, describing his death as a huge loss to the nation.
Jonathan, in a condolence message to the Obiozor family and the Government and people of Imo State, recounted Obiozor’s contributions to the growth and development of the nation.
He said, “On behalf of my family, I commiserate with the Obiozor family, the Government and People of Imo State and Ndigbo in general on the passing of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Professor George Obiozor.”
The former president added that Obiozor was a great patriot whose love for the nation and his people knew no bounds in his selfless service towards the unity and development of the country.
Meanwhile, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has confirmed the death of Obiozor.
The group had earlier dismissed the rumours making the rounds that Obiozor was dead.
But a statement issued by the spokesman of the Organisation, Alex Ogbonna said they received with pain and sorrow in their hearts the news of the passing of Obiozor.
He said until his death, the Ohanaeze boss was a prodigy and an enigma of some sorts: an erudite reflective scholar of world renown, prophetic intellectual, astute resourceful administrator, sagacious phebian political submarine, seasoned diplomat, cultural reservoir, detribalized patriot, jovial cerebral discussant, among others.
Ogbonnia said the most endearing of the Obiozor mystique can be summarised in character; the courage of his convictions, steadfastness and uncompromising commitment to his goals.
“Obiozor was sometimes misrepresented and misunderstood because of the silent cautious strategy and tactics with which he pursues his goals but behind the great achiever was an uncommon and perfect gentleman of immense proportions.
“Obiozor will be remembered as a man who displayed an uncommon intellect, irrepressible courage, candor, tolerance, large heart and equanimity; he sacrificed his personal comfort in the service of Igbo nation. What stands Obiozor out among his peers is his unique intellectual wizardry, profound sense of humour, extraordinary creative imagination, rationality, clear-headedness, unwavering determination and incandescent passion with which he pursues his views even in most hostile or complex circumstances.”
Also yesterday, former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar p described the death of p Obiozor as a huge loss for Igbo nation and Nigeria.
Atiku said Obiozor was a master political consensus adding that his vast experience in diplomatic foreign missions was very handy in making him a pan-Nigerian.
The PDP presidential flag-bearer in a press statement personally signed by him on Thursday said he received the news of Professor Obiozor’s death with rude shock.
Atiku said the late former Nigerian ambassador to several foreign missions is a huge loss for the country.
According to the press release, Atiku remarks that, “Prof Obiozor was a charismatic personality. He was much at home in any part of Nigeria.
“He was a consummate diplomat who believed in consensus, and had a stabilizing influence.
“His wide experience in diplomatic foreign missions garnered over decades and across diverse postings came in very handy in making him a pan-Nigerian.
Similarly, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has joined other Nigerians to pay glowing tribute to the late president-general Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor, saying he served Nigeria with diligence, honour and integrity.
In a condolence message released by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos governor recalled Obiozor’s life of service to Nigeria and the Igbo race.
Tinubu noted that Obiozor’s career at various times as the director-general of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Ambassador of Nigeria to United States, Ambassador of Nigeria to Israel and high commissioner of Nigeria to Cyprus, stood the Ohaneze Ndigbo leader out as “one of the foremost patriots who served the country with diligence, honour and integrity”.
In the condolence message to the Obiozor family, government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo and Nigerians, Tinubu said Obiozor served the country with pride and distinction, lamenting, however, that death has once again robbed Nigeria of one of its finest statesmen.
He stated, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Ambassador George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. This great Igbo leader and Nigeria’s elder statesman was a distinguished academic and diplomat who served his people and entire country with honour, dedication and distinction.
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the forthcoming 2023 election, Peter Obi stressed he’s deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor.
Obi made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen.
Obi said Obiozor’s death was a huge loss to the the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Nigerians.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor. He was a dear elder brother and friend.
“The death of this foremost Igbo leader is a huge loss to the entire Obiozor Family, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Nigerians in general,”
Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has condoled with the family of renowned diplomat, scholar and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof George Obiozor.
In a condolence message issued by his chief press secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa described the deceased as an accomplished and erudite scholar, renowned author and seasoned diplomat, adding that he was an epitome of selflessness and statesmanship.
He said Nigerians would miss his unblemished services to the nation and to the international community, and prayed that God would raise more persons in Obiozor’s mould in Nigeria’s political and socio-economic firmament.
The secretary to the government of the federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, expressed shock and sadness over the death of Obiozor.
In a statement released by his media office, he described Obiozor as a diplomat extraordinaire having served as Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States of America, Israel and Cyprus, distinguished academic, quintessential statesman and a remarkable lover of his people who believed in the unity of the country as well as harmonious coexistence among the people.
He said that Obiozor died at a time when the country was in dire need of his contributions toward the strengthening of all ethnic nationalities for a cohesive national growth and development.
SGF condoled with the government and people of Imo State, Obiozor’s family, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and friends, and prayed to God to grant eternal repose to the soul of the departed.
Also, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has expressed shock over the death of Obiozor.
The SMBLF, in a statement signed by its South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, president of Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Pogu Bitrus and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said they were pained over his death.
The statement reads in part: “The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) received the news of the passing on of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor, CON, with profound sadness.
“We are greatly pained by this incident; we have not just lost a trusted and dependable ally, but a good friend, a true patriot, and a highly esteemed Statesman.
“Professor George Obiozor was an exemplary, unpretentious and self-effacing leader; and a first-class gentleman, a thorough bred scholar, who firmly and committedly, in tandem with his Compatriots, maintained our common stance on the fundamental principles of equity, justice and fairness, and inclusivity, in the quest for a better Nigeria.
“He was a man of peace who will be remembered for his candor, open-mindedness and civility. His life and works will remain an inspiration to present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence.”
A former governor of Abia State and Senate chief whip Orji Kalu described the passing of Obiozor as a colossal loss to the Igbo, Ohanaeze and Nigeria.
While extolling the virtues of the late envoy, Kalu said Obiozor made invaluable contributions to nation-building in various capacities.
Kalu, through a release made available to newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the late diplomat was a nationalist with a passion for the growth and progress of Nigeria, adding that his wise counsel and intellectual contributions to global discourse will be greatly missed.
The former governor said the deceased was a rallying point for his contemporaries and the younger generation, many of whom seek counsel and advice from him.
His words, “It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the demise.
“The passing of the envoy is a big loss to Nigeria and the international community in view of the robust roles the late diplomat played at the sub-national, national and global levels.
“His intellectual contributions to global discourse were enormous and worthy of commendation.
A former deputy governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, regretted the passage of Obiozor, describing it as a colossal loss.
His regret was contained in a statement issued by his adviser on media and publicity, Uche Onwuchekwa.
He recounted the vacuum Obiozor’s death had left, describing him as a super diplomat who remained patriotic till the end.
“I received the news of his unfortunate passage with a rude shock. Obiozor had a way around difficult situations as always wittingly had what to say even in the face of grievous challenges.
“We had the glory of having him emerge the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Unfortunately, he exited at a time his wit, wisdom and experience would have been needed most.
“He was a man who sold Nigeria at the highest level as a Diplomat and he remained patriotic till the end,” he said.
