Buhari, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Atiku, Tinubu, Obi Grieve Over Ohanaeze President, Obiozor’s Passage
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing of Professor George Obiozor, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Thursday quoted the President as being “deeply saddened” by the unfortunate loss, and condoled the Obiozor’s family, the government and people of Imo State as well as Ndigbo, at home and in the Diaspora.
Describing Obiozor’s demise as an immeasurable loss to the country, the President said 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 of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat.
The statement further said; “The president who had fond memories of meeting Prof. Obiozor on several occasions and valued his endearing sense of patriotism joined the Igbo nation in mourning the irreparable loss of this great son of Nigeria and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased”.
Also commenting on Obiozor’s death, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said he would be “fondly and proudly remembered as a foremost multilateralist, an erudite scholar, a passionate nationalist, and a diplomatic legend of international repute.
“He was an icon and a true Nigerian. It is also worthy of note that Ambassador Obiozor acquitted himself as a peace-loving, unassuming and committed patriot. He was a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.”
Similarly, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the Ohanaeze President’s death as a huge loss to the nation, saying; “Prof. 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 our country”.
For the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the news of Professor Obiozor’s death was received with rude shock.
In a statement he personally signed in Abuja, the Wazirin Adamawa sympathised with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the South East, and the country as a whole, describing the passage as “the fall of an Iroko”.
The former Vice President said the late Obiozor, in his lifetime, remained a charismatic personality, who was much at home in any part of Nigeria.
On his part, the Presidential flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said Obiozor lived a distinguished life of service to Nigeria and to Ndigbo.
In a condolence message by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos State Governor said late Obiozor’s career made him one of the foremost patriots who served Nigeria with diligence, honour, and integrity, adding; “The ideals of a better and more inclusive country where justice and equity would prevail, for which Ambassador Obiozor lived will forever be cherished”.
Reactions to the Ohanaeze President’s death also came from the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who expressed sadness over the news, saying; “He was a dear elder brother and friend”.
Writing on his Twitter handle, the former Governor of Anambra State said; “Professor Obiozor was a patriot, renowned academic and diplomat, who served Nigeria and Ohanaeze selflessly and diligently. He was witty, well-heeled in history and effusive in his personal charm and warmth”.
On its part, the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo, has expressed grief over the death of its President-General, noting that it received the news “with a heart overtaken by pain and sorrow”.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Ogbonnia, the organisation said Obiozor stood out among his peers “for his unique intellectual wizardry, the profound sense of humour, extraordinary creative imagination, rationality, clear-headedness, unwavering determination and incandescent passion”.
