The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has announced the inauguration of a funeral planning committee to honor and celebrate the remarkable legacy of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away while serving as the President General of the Igbo socio-cultural organization.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the Acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, emphasized that the group is dedicated to recognizing Iwuanyanwu’s extensive contributions, which spanned over six decades, to the development of Igbo land and Nigeria.
### Honoring Iwuanyanwu’s Legacy
Okpalaezeukwu highlighted that Iwuanyanwu’s impact on the formation and continued growth of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, especially in stabilizing the leadership of the youth wing, cannot be overstated.
“We are deeply appreciative of our late elder statesman for his unwavering commitment and personal investments in ensuring the stability of the youth wing’s leadership. His contributions to Igbo unity and his efforts toward Nigeria’s progress deserve the highest recognition,” Okpalaezeukwu stated.
According to the youth leader, the decision to immortalize Chief Iwuanyanwu reflects the group’s determination to ensure his legacy endures. The youth wing is collaborating with Iwuanyanwu’s family to ensure that the funeral rites reflect the profound influence he had on Igbo society and Nigeria.
“We are in constant communication with Iwuanyanwu’s family, and we will spare no effort in ensuring that he is accorded the highest honor for his service to the Igbo people and the nation,” Okpalaezeukwu added.
### Funeral Planning Committee
To achieve this goal, the youth wing has officially set up a funeral planning committee dedicated to celebrating Iwuanyanwu’s achievements, particularly in relation to the Igbo youths whose lives he impacted.
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“This committee will ensure that every aspect of Chief Iwuanyanwu’s legacy, particularly his contributions to the development and mentorship of the younger generation, is honored. We will continue to provide updates as the plans progress,” Okpalaezeukwu said.
### Appeal for Justice for Detained Igbo Youths
In addition to celebrating the life of Chief Iwuanyanwu, the Ohanaeze youth leader took the opportunity to renew calls for justice for thousands of Igbo youths currently held in detention across the country. Okpalaezeukwu stressed the urgency of reviewing the cases of these youths, many of whom, he claimed, are innocent.
“We appeal once again to the Federal Government to expedite the review and dispensation of justice for the many Igbo youths unjustly held in detention facilities nationwide. Many of these young people are innocent and deserve fair trials,” Okpalaezeukwu urged.
He also called on Igbo youths to resist any attempts by subversive elements to involve them in violent actions against their communities.
“We implore Igbo youths to maintain peace and avoid being influenced by those who seek to incite violence or destruction in our homeland. We must continue to uphold the principles of peace and unity,” he concluded.
