The body of the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Late Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu has been laid to rest in his hometown, Amokwe Item in Bende Local Government Area of the state amidst tributes from Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, Ohanaeze and other Nigerians.
The others include the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Udom Emmanuel, Wife of the former Governor of Oyo state, Mrs Florence Ajumobi, Former DG, Nigeria Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh, General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), Former Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, Chief Empire Kanu as well as the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Others include; Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, members of the National and state Assembly, former National Assembly members including Sen Adolphus Wabara, Secretary General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Okey Emuche, Secretary to the state Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu, and Captains of industries, Traditional rulers among other distinguished dignitaries.
Aged 89, the late Prof Irukwu was until his death the first Professor of Insurance in Nigeria and in the whole if Africa, a seasoned administrator, a legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the chairman, Abia Council of Elders, President General of Item community, immediate past President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and an illustrious Igbo son.
Speaking at the interdenominational Funeral service held at Jane Egbichi Oteh Mini stadium, Gov. Alex Otti, extolled the life, impactful contributions, and enduring legacy of the late Prof. Irukwu, and expressed his shock at Irukwu’s departure.
He highlighted the deceased’s desire to see positive change in Abia but regretted that his desire was tragically cut short by his death just one month after the emergence of the present administration.
The Governor acknowledged the deceased’s significant achievements in various fields, such as insurance, law, and his leadership within Ohaneze, but stressed that the most profound accomplishment of Prof. Irukwu was his devotion to the Christian faith.
Otti encouraged those in attendance to embrace a spiritual connection with Christ, stating “If you believe you’ve achieved great success in life but have neglected to sit and pray to God, it’s time to reconsider your priorities”.
The Abia chief executive expressed his hope that on the day of resurrection, the deceased, along with all those who had devoted their lives to Christ, would rise and find eternal peace with God.
While emphasizing that life and death are in the hands of God, Governor Otti urged the Irukwu family to bear the loss with fortitude.
Former President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Gary Igariwe in his tribute on behalf of the apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said the deceased was an exceptional leader who distinguished himself in service to the Ohaneze, Igbos and Nigerians at large and prayed God to console the family he left behind.
Similarly in his tribute, the President General of the Item Development Association, Sir Onwuka Orji said the late Prof Joe Irukwu trained and mentored a constellation of Item professionals and captains of industry who are excelling over the world adding that with his death, a big vacuum has been created in the socio-political landscape of the southeast in particular and Nigeria in general.
Also presenting a tribute, a grandson of the deceased, Tobe Irukwu described their grandfather as a strong and caring man who loved his family greatly, adding that he will be missed by the family.
In his homily, Rev Dr Okey Onuzo who preached on the essence of the love of God in which He gave his son to die in order to redeem mankind advised that whosoever receives Christ will have eternal life.
Meanwhile, there was an outpouring of encomiums in Umuahia Friday during the commendation service for an insurance guru and former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, late Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu.
Speaking at the event organized by the Abia State government, Abia Governor, Dr Alex Otti described Professor Joseph Irukwu as a seasoned administrator and selfless statesman who championed the cause of Ndigbo during his lifetime.
The Governor said that Irukwu’s demise is a huge loss for Abia state and Nigeria at large.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to Abia State Government, SSG Professor Kenneth Kalu recalled the deceased’s imprint in the insurance and legal profession, noting that he was the pioneer President, Nigeria Rail Insurance Corporation as well as the first Professor of Insurance in Nigeria who later rose to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The Governor urged his family and all those he left behind to draw solace in the fact that the late sage impacted many lives.
He commiserated the Irukwu family, Item people, Abians and Nigerians as a whole on the irreparable loss and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
In his speech on behalf of Abia state Council of Elders, pioneer NDDC chairman, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu said the deceased showed patriotism and love for Item people and Ndigbo, adding that as the Chairman Abia State Council of Elders, Late Professor Joe Irukwu piloted the council effectively even as the council gained significance under his watch.
In his tribute, the President General, Item Development Association, Sir Onwuka Orji noted that the deceased was a driving force that united Ndi Item, describing him as a great mentor, icon who orchestrated development and honor in Item land.
In his tribute, the President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said Ndigbo are proud of the late Professor Joe Irukwu, describing him as a hero of Igboland.
While declaring that his name will be in the hall of fame of Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu called on Igbo youths to imbibe the leadership qualities of the late sage, pointing out that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo will open a hall of fame for Igbo youths who distinguish themselves in their chosen fields.
In his sermon, the President of Vision Africa Radio, Bishop Sunday Onuoha emphasized that the late Prof. Joe Irukwu had not only made a name for himself but had also left a lasting legacy and urged the congregation to live lives that would be remembered and valued.
Earlier, the Ohaneze Ndigbo had decorated the deceased as the hero of Ndigbo.
The event was attended by prominent sons and stakeholders in Igboland,including a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, Chief of Staff to the Governor Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu and host of other dignitaries.
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