My Encounters With Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

EMEKA OPARAH

As a youngster back in the village, I became attracted to the name Iwuanyanwu, which was greatly popularized by the exploits of Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC formerly Spartans FC.

As time went on, I learnt that the same Iwuanyanwu owned the then famous Hardel & Enic construction company, which was a dominant player in the road construction industry. Across Imo State, there were many construction equipment bearing the company emblem either busy with the construction of roads or abandoned somewhere.

Much later, I fell in love with Magil bread, one of the best in Owerri in the 80s. As a matter of fact, during my stint in Government Secondary School, Owerri, I literally survived on this wonderful bread because I ate neither egusi nor ogbono soups, which were the staple in the school refectory. So, I was given one loaf of the creamy, delicious Magil bread every afternoon in place of the normal lunch.

Then in 1988, I had my first one-on-one encounter with the man himself. It was during the administration of Amadi Ikwechegh, a Navy Commander, who was the Imo State Military Administrator. Ikwechegh was hosting the then US Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Princeton Lyman, and the Editor of The Statesman, Tony Nzotta, had posted me (an Intern from UNN) to Government House to cover the 3-day visit. By the way, this was where I first met and became friends with Ikwechegh, Amando as we called him much later in life, who sadly passed away in 2011.

The Governor, to the dismay and angst of The Statesman’s State House Correspondent, gave me privileged access to the Ambassador and all his activities. I rode in his back-up car, having been kicked out of the Press Bus, no thanks to the powerful Statesman’s Government House correspondent.

This was how I made it to Chief Iwuanyanwu’s house, where he hosted a dinner for the visiting Ambassador. I sat close to the Governor and his ADC, Major Alili graciously facilitated a few minutes meet and greet with the gigantic chief host.

Several years after graduating in Mass Communications, I toyed with the idea of working with Champion Newspapers Ltd, owned by the same Iwuanyanwu. Interestingly, most of the foundation staff of the Champion Newspapers were my former Ogas Statesman staff including the editor, Emma Agu. I didn’t go to Champion or any other newspaper but instead chose the more financially rewarding Advertising and Public Relations (I know this is a controversial opinion but I thought I should state it to upset some of my friends 😜).

Several years ago, I flew back on Arik to Owerri from Lagos with the big Chief, who I gathered had just recovered from a health challenge and was returning home from a long treatment abroad. He could hardly walk and was moved to the arrivals in a wheelchair-and a large group of family, friends and supporters waited outside with music and banners to welcome their hero.

Of course, I remember his famous marriage to a much younger woman following the demise of his first wife Eudora. The image of the elderly Iwuanyanwu in a burgundy suit rocking his much younger wife made headlines and stuck in my mischievous mind!

Iwuanyanwu was also a big player in politics. Initially, I thought he was an AGIP (Any Government In Power) being a business man, but he later joined partisan politics and became a strong force in one of the political parties.

So, when, yesterday, I heard the news of the demise of Chief Iwuanyanwu, who most recently has been the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, my mind went flashing back to my memories of him. And what a life, a good life, he’s lived considering his age and his many accomplishments and contributions to national development as an entrepreneur, employer of labor and a trailblazer in many facets of life.

His is a typical case of the fall of an Iroko (the most respected tree in a typical Igbo forest). The man Iwuanyanwu was a great man in many respects and has left a great legacy.

May his memory be a blessing and God grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.