By Omotayo Edubi
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has confirmed the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor.
Confirming the reports on Wednesday night in a statement, Uzodimma said the 80-year-old former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States “passed on recently after a brief illness” without providing further details.
According to reports, Obidozor died of heart related disease on Monday.
The statement reads; “On behalf of the government and people of Imo state, I, Sen Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo state, sorrowfully 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.
“May his great and gentle soul rest in peace.”
According to the statement, the burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.
Born August 15, 1942, Obiozor once served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel and as High Commissioner to Cyprus. He also once served as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
The octogenarian held the position of President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo from January 9, 2021 until his death.