Ohanaeze Mourns former Union Bank Chairman, Kalu

Apex Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has expressed shock over the passing on of the former chairman of Union Bank Plc and a chieftain of Ohanaeze, Dr Kalu Uke Kalu at 88.

The group described Kalu as an Igbo titan, a pathfinder, visionary, erudite scholar, board room guru and financial consultant who died in his home in Enugu.

National publicity secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Enugu.

According to Ogbonnia, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was heart-broken on hearing the sad news from the family.

He said the Igbo leader recounted the countless interventions of Kalu at various critical junctures, with wise counsel, in the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in particular and the Igbo nation in general.

Ogbonnia said Iwuanyanwu reminisced on his calm, thoughtful, cerebral mien and candour and his dispositions for peace and sacrifice for the Igbo nation.

“The Ohafia Igbo extraction has not only recorded exploits in commerce and industry; it is also home to the famous Igbo war dance and several cerebral moderate, Marxist and stubborn intellectuals.

“Elder Kalu ranks high amongst the Ohafia intelligentsia, who have made their marks in Nigerian and world affairs,” he said.

On behalf of all the structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Iwuanyanwu commiserated with the immediate and extended family of Elder Kalu; and urged them to accept with serenity the inevitable end of all mortals.

“While we prepare for a befitting farewell, we ask the Almighty to grant the soul of Elder Dr. K Uke Kalu an eternal rest in his bosom,” Ogbonnia prayed. (NAN)