The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has mourned the death of the former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Joe Irukwu.
OsunDailyNG reported that Irukwu, whose death was announced on Saturday by the President of Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, Harrison Eze Okorie, died at the age of 89 years.
In a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday, Obi expressed sadness over the death of the first Nigerian Professor of Insurance, and one of the country’s educationists.
The former Governor of Anambra State described the late Professor Irukwu as a successful lawyer, a patriot, a great educationist, an author and a renowned insurance executive.
Obi said he benefitted from his wise counsel in his early days in business and banking, for which he remains eternally grateful. The LP flagbearer said Irukwu contributed immeasurably to the growth of Nigeria’s economy through his active roles in insurance.
He, therefore, expressed his thoughts and prayers with his family and prayed for God to console them, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the entire nation over his loss.
The statement reads: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu, SAN, the first Nigerian Professor of Insurance, and Former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Prof Irukwu was a successful lawyer, a patriot, a great educationist, an author and a renowned insurance executive.
“I benefitted from his wise counsel in my early days in business and banking, for which I remain eternally grateful. He contributed immeasurably to the growth of Nigeria’s economy through his active roles in the insurance sector of the nation.
“As a professor and educationist, he authored many books that have greatly added value and knowledge to the economic sphere of the nation. He was a detribalised Nigerian who was actively involved in positive national development and will be greatly missed by the nation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and I pray for God to console them, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the entire nation over his loss. May God also grant him eternal rest.”
