The governor of Imo state governemnt, Sen Hope Uzodimma announced the death in a statement, titled, Imo State Government Obituary Announcement,” issued on Wednesday night.
The statement reads, “On behalf of the government and people of Imo state, I, Sen Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo state, sorrowfuly announce the passage of a great Son of Imo state and Nigeria, the President General of ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George OBIOZOR.
“A renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat and statesman and a tenacious patriot, Prof George Obiozor passed on recently after a brief illness.
The death of this foremost Igbo leader and former NIGERIA’S ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel, is a big loss to Imo state, the South East and the entire Nigeria. I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.
The official announcement of the death of President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, by Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday 28th December, 2022 came a day after the “apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has refuted reports insinuating the death of its President-General, Prof. George Obiozor”.
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According to the reports, the 80-year-old retired diplomat from Awo-Omanma in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State was said to have been sick for a while and out of circulation.
“Reacting to the aforementioned report, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, in a phone coversation with our correspondent revealed that Obiozor is very much alive.
Professor George Obiozor, was elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on 10th January, 2021. Till his death, Professor George Obiozor was president Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor celebrated his 80th birthday on August 15, 2022.
“May his great and gentle soul rest in peace.”
According to the statement by the state government, his burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.