The Arewa Consultative Forum has described as shocking the passing of Ohaneze Ndigbo Chairman General, Prof. George Oniozor.
the punch had reported that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma had announced Obiozor’s disappearance at the age of 80 on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its national president, Chief Audi Ogbeh, and communicated to journalists through the Forum’s secretary general, Murtala Aliyu, in Kaduna, the ACF said Obiozor’s disappearance was a great loss for Nigeria.
According to ACF, Obiozor’s departure at a time when various groups and tendencies are reaching out to each other to achieve national cohesion will undoubtedly have an impact on the project in Nigeria.
The statement, titled: ‘ACF Mourns Amb George Achulike Obiozor’, read in part: “The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, received with dismay the passing of Professor Obiozor George Achulike, leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which was announced by His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
“Indeed, it is a great loss, especially at this time when his exemplary leadership is sorely needed.
“The late Professor George Obiozor left a mark on diplomacy and scholarship. Having served at the United Nations and being part of the Obasanjo administration think tank, his national and global roles no doubt put him in a position to lead the main Igbo socio-cultural group, the Ohaaeze Ndigbo.
“Leaving at this time when various groups and trends are reaching out to each other for national cohesion will certainly have an impact on the Nigeria project.
“The late Professor Obiozor was a conciliator, a profound person and a strategist. He was Ugwumba I, from Orlu, and received the Albert Schweitzer Grantee and the Alice Stetten Scholarship in International Affairs from the School of Columbia University, among others. He will be greatly missed.
“The leadership and all members of the Arewa Advisory Forum join the millions of people mourning the late professor. May his soul rest in the Lord, amen.”
