The former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has lauded the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for organising a private prayer session for him at the height of his persecution when his principal, Umaru Yar’Adua, was gravely ill.
The former President paid this tribute during a service of songs held in honour of the late business mogul by family and friends at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
The event was attended by prominent Nigerians, including Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate Presidents Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani.
Jonathan while recalling his encounter with the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said that the philanthropist had shown him enormous goodwill and had mentored him politically from the time he became Bayelsa State’s deputy governor.
He said, “Iwuanyanwu was one of the senior members of the PDP who was solidly behind me throughout my political journey, right from when I was a deputy governor. People may not know this, but it was as though he knew I would rise higher than just a deputy governor. He treated me like a son and mentored me until I became vice president and later president. He was always advising me.
“In those days, the country was in a state of confusion when the then-president (Yar’Adua) was critically ill. Everyone was confused. He and his associates from his zone used to organise prayers for me. So he was very dear to me. Iwuanyanwu was a highly active politician and a senior member of the PDP, which was my party.
“He contested the presidency three times but was unlucky not to win it. Yet, I was like a son to him. When someone passes away, all we can remember is how they lived their life on Earth. Today, we are celebrating someone who did so much for humanity.”