Obiozor:  Uzodinma Announces Death, Laments; Ohanaeze’s Lawyer, Uwazuruike, Salutes A Great Soul

By Charles Igbo

Governor Hope Uzodinma, Wednesday evening,  announced the passing of Professor George Obiozor.

Obiozor, according to sources, died on December 26, 2022.

By Obiozor’s passing, Imo State, the South-east, and the Nigerian Nation have lost an accomplished academic, an exceptional Diplomat, a respected international scholar, a great manager of men and resources, and a deeply proud Igbo man.

Until his death, Obiozor was the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural Association, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

In the past three days, the rumour of Obiozor’s passing had been strong, and had found its way into both the conventional and social media. It was initially denied by Ohanaeze because, given Obiozor’s status, nationally and internationally, the proper channel, protocol-wise, needed to announce it.

That is what Uzodinma did, Wednesday evening, in a statement he personally signed.

The Governor said Professor Obiozor died after a brief illness. However, he neither disclosed when and/or where he died, but told Ndigbo and Nigerians he announces, with sorrow, the Professor’s death on behalf of the Government  and people of Imo State.

He hailed Obiozor as “an exceptional diplomat and statesman and a tenacious patriot.”

The Governor said:

“On behalf of the Government and people of Imo state, I, Sen Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo state, sorrowfuly  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 and 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.

“His burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family

“May his great and gentle soul rest in peace.”

Ohanaeze’s Lawyer, Uwazurike, Expresses  Shock, Salutes A Great Soul

In his reaction, to Obiozor’s passing, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, Lawyer to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, expressed shock. Mourning, he said:  “In, almost, two years of service (as Ohanaeze’s President General), he stood like a rock of Gibraltar.”

He saluted Obiozor for his life of service.

Uwazuruike: “It’s with shock but with gratitude to God 🙏 for a life well spent that I learnt of the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as announced by the Government of Imo State.

“Prof George Obiozo has been a high flier all his life.

“In academia, he was a star .

In political life, he excelled in the appointments he held both during the Military and Civilian Governments.

“In retirement from Government services, he was elected the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Jan 20, 2020.

“In almost 2 years of service, he stood like a rock of Gibraltar, even in the face health challenges.

“We salute him for his Life of service.

Rest in peace, Great man!!!”

Professor Obiozor, aged 80 years, a native of Awo Omamma, Oru Local Government Area, Imo State, was born on 15th August 1942. A former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, before he was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Isreal and later, the United States, Obiozor studied at the Institute of African Studies, and Albert Schweitzer College. The Professor graduated in 1969, from the University of Puget Sound. He earned a PhD in International Affairs from Colombia University.

He became Ohanaeze’s President on 10th January, 2021.

Professor Obiozor held the National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON.