President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worlwide, Prof George Obiozor, is dead.
He was the 10th president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, announced this in a statement, Wednesday night.
“On behalf of the Government of Imo State, I, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, sorrowfully announce the passage of a great son of Imo State and Nigeria, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor,” he said in the statement.
Uzodinma described the deceased as “an exceptional diplomat and a tenacious patriot.”
The governor said Obiozor’s demise was a big loss to the state, South-East and entire Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues,” Uzodinma stated.
He said Obiozor’s burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.
The announcement has ended days of speculations about the death of Obiozor, who was reported to have died on Monday at his residence in Imo State.
Uzodinma did not state when Obiozor died.
He simply said the octogenarian died “recently” after a brief illness.
A member of the OhanaezeNdigbo, who asked not to be named, said that Obiozor died of a heart-related disease.
“One of his family members called and told me about it,” he said.
Obiozor, a professor, died on December 26 at the age of 80.
He was elected 10th President-General of OhanaezeNdigbo on January 9, 2021, taking over from NniaNwodo who exited office after the expiration of his four-year tenure.
Obiozor hailed from Awo-Omamma in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
He served as Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus.
The Ohanaeze leader attended the Institute of African Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and the University of South Tacoma, Washington, US, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1968 before proceeding to Columbia University, New York, where he had a master’s degree in international law.
He served as a lecturer at Pratt Institute, New York City between 1971 and 1975, and as assistant professor of political science at City University of New York, among others.
During his time as the president of the Ohanaeze, he consistently called for the emergence of a Nigerian president of South-East extraction in 2023.
Reacting, President MuhammaduBuhari, described the death of the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, OhanezeNdigbo, Prof George Obiozor, as an immeasurable loss to Nigeria.
Buhari said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Obiozor.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President extended his heartfelt condolences to Obiozor’s family, the government and people of Imo State as well as Ndigbo, at home and in the Diaspora.
According to the statement, “Describing his demise as an immeasurable loss to the country, the President notes that 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, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat.
“The President believes that the contributions of the unique leader and strong proponent of peace and a stable polity, who also held other strategic public positions, will never be forgotten.
“President Buhari trusts that all who mourn the demise of the statesman, who commanded great respect among his peers in the academia and foreign policy arena, will honour his memory by actively embracing his beliefs and ideas geared towards uniting Nigeria beyond geo-political considerations.
“The President has fond memories of meeting Prof. Obiozor on several occasions, and values his endearing sense of patriotism.”
The statement further said that President Buhari “joins the Igbo nation in mourning the irreparable loss of this great son of Nigeria, even as he prays for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.”
Similarly, former President, Chief OlusegunObasanjo, said that the death of OhanaezeNdigbo’s President, Prof. George Obiozor, was very painful because he still had lots to contribute to the growth of the nation.
Obasanjo, who spoke from Ethiopia, said, “The finality of Ambassador Obiozor is painful, especially as he still had a lot to contribute to community and national life, but we can draw some solace from knowing that he left his mark indelibly in whatever he was called upon to do. In all the assignments he was given, quality and integrity were his imprint and legacy.”
The former President, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, KehindeAkinyemi, said “The good work he did while he served as Nigerian Ambassador to Israel and the United States of America was a fitting complement to my administration’s painstaking efforts to re-make the international profile of our dear country.
“Indeed, for the enviable and sensitive positions he occupied both at home and abroad, and the developmental roles he played while in active service, Ambassador Obiozor would be fondly and proudly remembered as a foremost multi-lateralist, an erudite scholar, a passionate nationalist, and a diplomatic legend of international repute. He was an icon and a true Nigerian”.
Obasanjo further noted that “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.
“Until his death, he built for himself an impressive profile of immense goodwill and affection among his people. He was imbued with an undying love for his people which informed his acceptance to serve as the President of OhanaezeNdigbo so as to assist in ministering to, and advocating for their needs and truly, he was committed to the development and global vision of his people and the entire South-Eastern region of Nigeria till he breathed his last”.
Obasanjo commiserated with the Imo State governor, Obiozor’s family and the entire good people of Imo State, and prayed that “God, in His mercy, will comfort you all. May God, in His mercy, grant him the reward of the faithful”.
In his reaction, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed sadness over the passing of the President-General of OhanaezeNdigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, describing his death as a huge loss to the nation.
Jonathan, in a condolence message he personally signed, yesterday in Abuja, described the former Nigerian ambassador to the U.S. as a great patriot, an accomplished diplomat and a foremost nationalist.
The ex-president who commiserated with the Obiozor family, the government and the people of Imo as well as the Ndigbo in general, recounted the deceased’s contributions to the growth and development of the nation.
“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.
“He was an accomplished diplomat, globally acclaimed scholar and prolific author with a reputation for charming intellectualism and boisterous engagements in international relations and academic research.
“He was a foremost nationalist and Igbo leader who continued to make remarkable impact even in retirement,” he said.
Jonathan further said that while serving as the President-General of OhanaezeNdigbo, Obiozor robustly deployed his wisdom, knowledge and experience in the last two years to advance the cause of Ndigbo and enhance national integration.
He added that Obiozor left enduring legacies and would be missed by his family and friends as well as the diplomatic, academic and cultural communities across the world.
Also, former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Kalu, described the passing of President General of OhanezeNdigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, as a colossal loss to the nation.
Extolling the virtues of the late envoy, Kalu stressed that Obiozor made invaluable contributions to nation-building in various capacities.
Kalu noted that the late diplomat was a nationalist with a passion for the growth and progress of Nigeria, adding that his wise counsel and intellectual contributions to global discourse will be greatly missed.
In his tribute to the late Obiozor made available to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday morning, the former governor emphasised that the deceased was a rallying point for his contemporaries and the younger generation, many of whom seek counsel and advice from him.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the demise of President General of OhanezeNdigbo, Prof. George Obiozor.
“The passing of the envoy is a big loss to Nigeria and the international community in view of the robust roles the late diplomat played at the sub-national, national and global levels.
“His intellectual contributions to global discourse were enormous and worthy of commendation.
“The personal attributes of the deceased were anchored on fairness and equity.
“He was a strong advocate of a fair and ideal society anchored on credible leadership and good governance.
“The late President General lived a purposeful life and left behind remarkable legacies for his family, loved ones and leaders to uphold”.
Kalu commiserated with Ndigbo, the government and the people of Imo State while praying to God to grant the late statesman eternal rest.
Also, one of the founders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and a member of the Ime-Obi (Inner Caucus) of the umbrella body of the Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation, OhanaezeNdigbo, Chief ChekwasOkorie, has described the sad and painful the death of President-General of Ohanaeze, Prof George Obiozor.
Okorie said he was greatly saddened by the death of the highly respected Obiozor because “his death has left a huge void in the leadership of Ohanaeze.”
The former APGA national chairman continued: “He brought incomparable intellectual depth, maturity, forthrightness, courage and diplomatic savvy to bear in his leadership of Ohanaeze. Ndigbo are by their very nature highly critical and republican. Our expectations from our leaders are usually high.
“Professor Obiozor excelled and delivered on his mandate excellently. When it was the turn of Imo State to occupy the exalted office of the President General of OhanaezeNdigbo Worldwide, the state presented an array of highly qualified persons that made the contest keen and very competitive.
“When all factors were considered Professor George Obiozor emerged the undisputed choice of overwhelming majority of the large and unprecedented delegates of Ohanaeze leaders from the 36 states of Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory and the Diaspora Igbo leadership.
“Professor Obiozor spoke truth to power and was a strong advocate of a united Nigeria where justice, equity and fairness will reign supreme.
“The cold hand of death cut short the tenure of Professor Obiozor as the President General of OhanaezeNdigbo Worldwide. He will be greatly missed by Nigerias, the Diplomatic Community and Ndigbo in particular. May his noble soul rest in peace.”