Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has described the death of Sir Joe Ogbonnaya Irukwu, a one time President General of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo as sad and weakening.
Abaribe, in a statement in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, bemoaned the death and said Ndigbo has lost one of her best.
Sir Irukwu, he said brought panache and candour in the leadership of Ohanaeze when he presided over the affairs of the August body being an erudite scholar, a consummate professional and world acclaimed Insurance guru.
His death coming shortly after the death of immediate past President of Ohanaeze, Prof. George Obiozor he said, has further depleted the ranks of very committed elders of Ndigbo in the struggle to sustain ‘our people’s rightful place in the Nigeria project.
“Though Sir Irukwu died at a relatively ripe age of 89years , we shall yet miss his leadership and wise counsel at this difficult times for the Igbo race nay Nigeria. I will nonetheless advise that we persevere and remain focused in pursuing that which is right for our people as a befitting memorial for the soul of the departed”, Abaribe said.
Senator Abaribe therefore, consoled Sir Irukwu”s family, Ndigbo, Government and people of Abia State on this irreparable loss.