Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim has said he received with “deep sadness” the news of the passing of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor.
9News Nigeria had reported that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma announced Obiozor’s death in a statement on Wednesday night.
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Thursday made available to 9News Nigeria, Anyim said that when Obiozor took ill, everyone prayed and was hopeful that he would recover.
“His passing, therefore, is indeed a very huge loss, not only to his immediate family, Ndigbo and Nigeria but also the International diplomatic community,” he said.
Anyim added, “Prof. Obiozo, an erudite scholar, intellectual and diplomat, served Nigeria, Ndigbo and humanity with uncommon dedication, commitment, integrity and selflessness. He was one leader who had the courage of his convictions and always expressed his views on national issues with boldness, clarity, candour and high sense of responsibility.
“He was a very amiable and pleasant gentleman, with an exceptional sense of humour. He had a way of making people, irrespective of their social standing, comfortable around him.
“As President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, at a very challenging time in the history of Ndigbo, Prof. Obiozo brought his incisive intellect, capacity, resourcefulness, deep understanding of issues, exposure and wide contacts to bear on the management of the affairs of Ndigbo. He, together with his compatriots from other parts of Nigeria, elevated, to a national agenda, the discourse on the imperatives of justice, equity, fairness and inclusiveness as the foundation upon which a peaceful, stable and egalitarian society must be built.
“Ndigbo, Nigerians and his numerous colleagues and associates in the International Diplomatic Community will miss him sorely.
“It is my prayer that the good Lord will comfort his family and give them the strength to stand at this trying moment.”
Anyim prayed that Nigeria would know peace, unity, justice, equity and prosperity which Prof. Obiozor believed in and devoted his time, energy and resources fighting for.
