Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described as a huge loss, the death of George Obiozor, the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Obasanjo described the late Obiozor as a firm believer in democracy and justice as vital instruments in nation-building.
Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi stated this in a statement on Thursday.
Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President (1999-2007) and the African Union (AU) High Representative to the Horn of Africa who is currently in Ethiopia said “The good work he did while he served as Nigerian Ambassador to Israel and the United States of America was a fitting complement to my administration’s painstaking efforts to re-make the international profile of our dear country”.
“Indeed, for the enviable and sensitive positions he occupied both at home and abroad, and the developmental roles he played while in active service, Ambassador Obiozor would be fondly and proudly remembered as a foremost multilateralist, an erudite scholar, a passionate nationalist, and a diplomatic legend of international repute. He was an icon and a true Nigerian.”
Also, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar also mourn the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor.
The PDP presidential flag-bearer in a press statement personally signed by him on Thursday morning said that he received the news of Professor Obiozor’s death with rude shock.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has paid glowing tribute to Obiozor, extolling his distinguished life of service to Nigeria and Igbo race.
Asiwaju Tinubu while paying tribute to the deceased noted that the career of Professor Obiozor, who was at various times the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, Ambassador of Nigeria to Israel and High Commissioner of Nigeria to Cyprus, made the Ohaneze Ndigbo leader one of the foremost patriots who served the country with diligence, honour and integrity.
The former Governor of Lagos State in his condolence message to the family, government and people of Imo State, Ndigbo and Nigerians in general affirmed that Obiozor served the country with pride and distinction, lamenting, however, that death has once again robbed Nigeria of one of its finest statesmen.
Tinubu said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Ambassador George Obiozor, President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. This great Igbo leader and Nigeria’s elder statesman was a distinguished academic and diplomat who served his people and the entire country with honour, dedication and distinction.
“Ambassador Obiozor’s death at this time has again robbed our dear country of one of its finest public servants and committed leaders. As the leader of Ohaneze, Ambassador Obiozor championed the course of national unity and economic development while seeking a more equitable and even-handed federation where all the constituent units and ethnic groups can live together in peace and harmony.
“The ideals of a better and more inclusive country where justice and equity would prevail, which Ambassador Obiozor lived for will forever be cherished.