By Emeka Okafor
The President-General of the apex socio-cultural body of Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George Obiozor is dead.
Obiozor, former Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel, passed on Wednesday after a brief illness.
Obiozor’s passage was announced on Wednesday in a statement personally signed by the Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
Uzodinma described the death of the renowned diplomat and accomplished academician as a great loss to Ndigbo worldwide.
He said the deceased was a “tenacious patriot” who made such much contributions to the development of Nigeria and international community.
The statement reads, “On behalf of the Government and people of Imo State, I, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State, sorrowfully announce the passage of a great Son of Imo State and Nigeria, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George Obiozor.
“A renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat, a statesman and a tenacious patriot, Prof George Obiozor passed on recently after a brief illness.
“The death of this foremost Igbo leader and former NIGERIA’S ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel, is a big loss to Imo State, the South East and the entire Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.”
The statement added that the burial arrangements for the demise Ndigbo leader would be announced by the family in due course.
“May his great and gentle soul rest in peace”, Uzodinma prayed.
