Ohanaeze Asks FG to Honour Nwabueze, Ebigwei

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has asked the federal government to give national posthumous recognitions to late eminent constitutional lawyer and elder statesman, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), and a former vice president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Sylvanus Ebigwei, for their contributions to the country.

The Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Mr. Okey Emuchay, made this appeal yesterday at the national secretariat of Ohanaeze in Enugu, when he opened condolence registers for the two eminent Igbo sons who died recently.

Recall that Nwabueze died after an illness on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 94 while Ebigwei, a former vice president of Ohanaeze for Delta State during the administration of Mr. Nnia Nwodo, died at 80 on November 3, 2023.

Emuchay said that apart from being a constitutional lawyer, Nwabueze also served Nigeria as a one-time minister of education.

He explained that both Nwabueze and Ebigwei played critical roles in what is today known as Ohanaeze, adding that Nwabueze remained the longest-serving secretary general of the organisation.

He maintained that before their deaths, both eminent individuals were members of the presidential advisory council and the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze.

“The families have not decided on the date for their funerals. But we thought it important at this time to sign and open the books so that members of the public will also have the opportunity to sign and show their respect for the leaders,” he said.