Family, friends and other Nigerians, including the Lagos state governor and a former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, on Wednesday, paid tribute to the late president of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

They spoke at a service of songs/night of tributes in honour of Mr Iwuanyanwu at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, describing him as a quintessential gentleman who had much influence.

Mr Iwuanyanwu died on July 25 during an illness.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that Mr Iwuanyanwu was a man of great vision, passion and much energy.

“His life was a testament of what it means to be a real leader.

“He was a patriot and a dedicated servant to the growth and progress of not only the Igbo land but of Nigeria in general.

“In every role he undertook, he embodied excellence and left a lasting legacy,“ the governor said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also described Mr Iwuanyanwu as an enviable business conglomerate.

He said: “His contributions in the media space gave birth to what we know today as the Champion Newspaper.

“He amplified the voice of the less privileged and gave hope to the hopeless, strengthening the voice of the free press in our country.

“His commitment to youth development is equally inspiring.”

A former secretary-general of the Commonwealth,  Dr Emeka Anyaoku, described Mr Iwuanyanwu as a true Nigerian and professional.

“He was a devoted leader of his people in the world and, at the same time, an exceptional Nigerian patriot.

“Only last May, he joined former President Obasanjo and I in writing letters to the five governors of the South-East Zone, inviting them to a meeting with us to discuss collaboration in the development of the zone.

“Unfortunately, Chief Iwuanyanwu was not able to attend the meeting that former President Obasanjo and I had with the five governors.

“He was not able to attend the meeting at the last minute because of illness,” Anyaoku said.

In her tribute, Mr Iwuanyanwu’s daughter, Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, described her father as her strength, superhero and encourager.

Mrs Iheakanwa said: “He was a very duty-bound father; he loved me and all of us too much.

“My dad was so particularly proud of his children; many people did not know I was his only child for nine years.

“The 10th year, my sister came. For my father, I was a girl and a boy; he would teach me the ropes and things to do.”

(NAN)