The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has confirmed the death of its former President- General, Prof.
Joe Irukwu,Irukwu was elected the President -General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 2003 and bowed out in 2007.
The group, which described his demise as shocking, added that the late Irukwu was one of its brightest leaders.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, noted in a statement on Sunday that Irukwu added colour, glamour, zest, robust intellect and panache to the Igbo umbrella socio-cultural organisation during his incumbency.
The statement said that the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, could not withhold his emotions on hearing the sad news of the demise of the great Iroko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and member of his Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).
Iwuanyanwu lamented that Ndigbo has lost a well fulfilled man with a large heart; unassailable friendly finesse and amazing public relations.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu
He added that Professor Irukwu was a quintessence of courage and character whose legacies in Ohanaeze Ndigbo would always be remembered with deep emotional attachments.
Ohanaeze, which sent its condolences to the immediate family, the government and good people of Abia State, prayed God to grant the soul of Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu eternal rest in His bosom.
The statement urged the immediate family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude and serenity.
Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu was called to the English Bar in 1962 and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the same year.
He held many top positions in private and public sectors, resisting invitation by Dr. M. I Okpara – the then Premier of the Eastern Region – to join partisan politics.
Instead, he chose to pursue his dream of applying his knowledge in Law to build an enviable insurance industry in Nigeria.
source: eyewitness.ngr
