The apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of its president, Prof. George Obiozor.
Ohanaeze, in commiserating with Obizor’s family, described him as a Titan. They also said before he died, he supported the candidacy of Mr. Peter Obi as presidential hopeful, come 2023.
The organisation in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, said that Obiozor will be highly missed for his immense contribution to Igboland and Nigeria in general.
“It is with pain and sorrow in our hearts that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and indeed all the Igbo sons and daughters received the news of the passing of Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, CON, (Ugwumba). Until his death, he was the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
“Obiozor was a prodigy and an enigma of some sorts: an erudite reflective scholar of world renowned, prophetic intellectual, astute resourceful administrator, sagacious plebian political submarine, seasoned diplomat, cultural reservoir, detribalized patriot, jovial, cerebral discussant, among others.
“The most endearing of the Obiozor mystique can be summarised in character; the courage of his convictions, steadfastness and uncompromising commitment to his goals. Obiozor was sometimes misrepresented and misunderstood because of the silent cautious strategy and tactics with which he pursues his goals but behind the great achiever was an uncommon and perfect gentleman of immense proportions.
“The Obiozor life trajectory is one of the most enviable: he started as a child in Awo-Omamma, went to the USA for further studies, acquired a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), taught in the world class universities and promoted to the rank of a Professor of International Relations, served Nigeria in various capacities without blemish as the Director General, Institute of International Affairs, Lagos; Nigerian Ambassador to three countries, Israel, Cyprus and the USA; articulated the Return of Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu with Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and Joe Asogwa in 1982; led the Igbo delegation to the 2014 National Constitutional Conference and ultimately, was elected the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“Above all, Obiozor in his first world press conference as the President General, at the headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, assured the Igbo that time has come for the age-long collective aspiration of a Nigerian president from the South East of Nigeria.”
