Gov. Alex Otti, Senators and other Abians have expressed their condolences over the death of Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
They include the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, the former governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial zone, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Sen. Enyi Abaribe of Abia South Senatorial District, the former governor of Abia State and immediate past Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen. Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the immediate past governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu and the member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential Council, Prof Gregory Ibe.
While in their tributes, Otti promised that Abia will work with the other South East states and Irukwu’s family to ensure that the late insurance icon is given a befitting burial, the immediate past governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu said, “A great son of Item in Abia State, Professor Irukwu did not limit his greatness to the field of Law and Insurance. He was a committed and devoted son of Item Okpi and held the title of Omezioha Item. He was also a proud Abian whose doors were constantly open to me as Governor. He was a passionate Igbo patriot and a great Nigerian who rose to serve as the President General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide”.
Ikpeazu further lamented, “the death of Professor Irukwu has robbed us of one of our most prized human assets and noted that his death signals a further depletion in the ranks of our notable elder statesmen whose passionate and dedicated services helped shape our people. He lived a good and long life complete with solid achievements in every aspect of human endeavor”.
The former governor of Abia State and immediate past Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen. Theodore Ahamefule Orji noted that Irukwu “would be remembered for his contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Abia, Ndigbo and Nigeria at large”, adding “We have lost a rare gem, a patriotic and selfless statesman who left behind a good legacy for the present day Ndigbo”.
The former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial zone, Orji Uzor Kalu described Irukwu’s death as “painful”.noting that the late erudite scholar served Nigeria and Ndigbo meritoriously in different positions, adding that the late former President General of Ohanaeze would be remembered for his contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Ndigbo and Nigeria at large.
According the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the death of Sir Joe Ogbonnaya Irukwu “is sad and weakening”, stating, “he brought panache and candour in the leadership of Ohaneze when he presided over the affairs of the August body being an erudite scholar, a consummate professional and world acclaimed Insurance guru”.
According to Prof Greg Ibe, ” I recall with nostalgia the colourful years of Prof Irukwu’s reign as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo between 2003 and 2007, a tenure that bequeathed many lasting legacies to the apex socio-cultural organization and which among many other inspirations was instrumental to the establishment of Igbo Uturu Cultural Carnival and World Igbo Summit”.
Irukwu’s son Pastor Agu Irukwu broke the news, stating that his father passed on at the age of 89.
