…Says Abia, south-east will give him befitting burial
Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State has described the death of Prof Joe Irukwu, a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and former Managing Director of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation, who passed on at the age of 89 as a great loss to Abia State, South-East, Nigeria as a whole.
In a statement issued in Umuahia by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, the governor said he received with regret and sadness the news of the death of Chief (Prof) Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu.
He described the late sage as a great son of Item Okpi, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Otti stated that he received the news of his passing from his son, Pastor Agu Irukwu that the late icon passed on at the age of 89.
Governor Otti, on behalf of his family and people of Abia State, commiserate with the family, immediate community (Amokwe Item), the people of Item Okpi and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on the loss of this illustrious son of Abia State and Nigerian statesman.
Otti recalled the giant strides and indelible footprints that Prof Irukwu left behind in the insurance sector, among which are his record as the pioneer Managing Director of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation and founder of African Development Insurance Company.
These and other accomplishments as a consummate lawyer, lecturer and author of many books on insurance earned Prof Irukwu the sobriquet, ‘Mr. Insurance’, according to the governor.
While thanking God for blessing Abia with the calibre of Prof Irukwu’s person and the life he lived, Dr. Otti urged the family to find comfort in the legacies the late nonagenarian left behind.
The therefore governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the former leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural and political organisation, Ohanaeze, and promised that Abia State will work with the other South-East states and his family to ensure that the late insurance icon is given a befitting burial.
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