Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, the colossus of our time goes home.

A tribute by Cyril Mbah, Abuja Bureau Chief.
Great men and women are known for their exceptional qualities, their works and the sacrifices they make for the sake of humanity. Such great souls are remembered and solely missed even after their death for the exceptional legacies that they leave behind.
Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, [CFR, OFR, MFR, KSC, FNSE, FNIST], the Ahajiegamba Ndigbo, served the nation in various capacities but the most notable was his assumption of leadership of the apex Igbo leadership ladder as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. As the leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Iwuanyawu emergéd and was counted as one of those exceptionally great minds who passed through earth and truly left indelible marks on its surface with his numerous acts of kindness and empowerment schemes.
Describing Chief Iwuanyanwu’s achievements immediately places one in a dilemma similar to the groping of the three blind men who were asked to describe an elephant and each one gave a description based on his perspective. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; earned ten academic qualifications during his life time, fifteen professional qualifications, 54 academic honours/awards, ten international awards, and served in 82 public and private institutions including serving as Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman of universities. He was the proprietor of more than 20 successful companies in the construction industry, finance sector, shipping, aviation, manufacturing, the media, agro-business, health, property, real estate, sports and the brewing sector among others. Chief Iwuanyawu was a gift to humanity and he stretched the benevolence of creation to its elastic limit touching lives positively and transforming situations and circumstances to the benefit of mankind.
Notwithstanding the dilemma that one may encounter in describing his achievements and influence in society, many admirers of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu have described him appropriately as an Iroko and a legend. Others called him an Exceptional Icon in politics, industry, business, the media and in sports. He was widely regarded as the pillar of sports by sports men and women, while in other sectors of the economy where his magic wand touched lives, Iwuanyawu left an imprint so indelible for humanity to understand and comprehend.
Early Life and Career: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu was born on September 4, 1942, to the family of Pa. Bernard and Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu of Umuahii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. He attended St. Patrick’s School, Umuapara (later renamed Rumuapara, now in Obiakpo Local Government Area, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State) and the Holy Trinity Primary School, from 1948 to 1954 and later attended the New Bethel College, Onitsha, Anambra State, from 1955 to 1959. In 1960, the young Iwuanyanwu was offered admission into the Federal School of Science, Lagos, where he studied Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. In 1963, he was admitted to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied civil engineering..
Although he was born into a very humble family, Chief Iwuanyanwu became a notable politician, a businessman and a philanthropist of repute in Nigeria. His antecedents earned him the Chairmanship of the Ohaneze Council of Elders and he used the role to become vocal on issues concerning national unity and the welfare of the Igbos. On 20 April 2023, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was appointed as the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and he also doubled as the President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.
Impact on Sports and Media: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is one of the wealthiest businessmen of Igbo people. In 1988, he set up the Oriental Airlines and the Champion Newspapers, etc in order to project and promote Ndigbo. The media outfit came out with great promises bringing innovations and immeasurable impact on the media industry. Chief Iwuanyanwu held several political offices including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA). He was the Founding Chairman, Raw Materials and Research Development Council (RMRDC), FCT, Abuja. He was also Chairman, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Nigeria (NIPC), Abuja. Chief Iwuanyanwu also served as the Founding Chairman, Nigerian National Lottery, Chairman, National Productivity Merit Award and one-time Chairman of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu founded the Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club (now Heartland F. C.), which grew to rival big clubs like Enugu Rangers, the defunct Abiola Babies, IICC Shooting Stars [which became 3SC Shooting Stars] and Bendel Insurance Football Club among others and won several national and international laurels and championships. He was the Chairman, National Sports Development Fund, and Chairman, Nigerian Football Association USA “94” and Cup of Nations Fund Raising Committee.
Legacy and Influence of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu:L Law Mefor, a prominent Nigerian politician stated that great leaders always leave a big hole in the lives of those around them when they pass away and considering the roles they played while still on the scene, this is very obvious. On his part, former President Muhammadu Buhari praised Chief Iwuanyanwu for his passionate commitment to the unity, peaceful coexistence and the development of the country. Similarly, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, recalled that Iwuanyanwu was not just a father to many, he was also a committed bridge builder who remained consistent in preaching the peaceful coexistence of people and unifying the nation as one entity.
The Impact of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu on Sports and Media Development cannot be quantified. His contributions to sports development and the growth of sporting institution will be missed because as a sports lover, Iwuanyawu perceived sports as a microcosm of the wider society, both in normative and prescriptive senses. He always argued that investment in sports is arguably an investment in a well-crafted concept of elevating the broader society in the most practical and systematic approach, i.e., by reviving society in a smaller form where the action is fast and noticeable.
He believed that aside from the country’s constituent parts of economic and geopolitical territories that were forged with public activity in politics, culture and commerce, religion and recreation, the division of labour and productive processes, sports has been a recurring and flamboyant ingredient, a relatively independent fitness or physical force.
Iwuanyawu believed that its destiny is unilateral, enriching, inflaming, moralizing, educational, civilizing, opening, purifying and serving national interest.
Unfortunately, the forward looking business man did not live to actualize his plans for a more robust sports and media sectors.
Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82 years. The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announced the demise of the patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo. It is a sad nature that as humans, we do not know the true value of what we have until it’s gone. Now that Chief Iwuanyanwu has gone, he will be sorely missed not only by his family but he will be missed by the world, he will be missed by the nation and especially Ndígbo, the wrongly misunderstood ethnic group which he sought to liberate with the brilliance of his shining light. As Ahaejiagamba goes home to join our ancestors, may his soul rest peacefully with the Lord, amen. Ends.