President Muhammadu Buhari says the passing of George Obiozor, Ohaneze Ndigbo’s president-general worldwide saddens him.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, a spokesman for the president, on Thursday in Abuja, he extended heartfelt condolences to Mr Obiozor’s family, the government and the people of Imo as well as Ndigbo, at home and in the diaspora.

Mr Buhari described the demise of the former ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., high commissioner to Cyprus and ambassador to Israel as an immeasurable loss to the country.

The president said that the former director-general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) had exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat.

The president said the contributions of the unique leader and strong proponent of peace and a stable polity, who also held other strategic public positions, would never be forgotten.

He also believed that all those mourning the demise of the statesman, who commanded great respect among his peers in the academia and foreign policy arena, would honour his memory by actively embracing his beliefs and ideas geared towards uniting Nigeria beyond geopolitical considerations.

Mr Buhari recalled fond memories of meeting Mr Obiozor on several occasions and valued his endearing sense of patriotism.

The president said he joined the Igbo nation in “mourning the irreparable loss of this great son of Nigeria,” even as he prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased. 

(NAN)