Peter Obi, Labor Party Presidential candidate has mourned the passing of a former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. Joe Irukwu.
Irukwu, who hailed from Amaokwe Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia, reportedly died at the age of 89.
Obi prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
On his Twitter page, the former presidential candidate wrote,” Joe Ogbonna Irukwu, SAN, the first Nigerian Professor of Insurance, and Former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Prof Irukwu was a successful lawyer, a patriot, a great educationist, an author and a renowned insurance executive.
“I benefitted from his wise counsel in my early days in business and banking, for which I remain eternally grateful. He contributed immeasurably to the growth of Nigeria’s economy through his active roles in the insurance sector of the nation. As a professor and educationist, he authored many books that have greatly added value and knowledge to the economic sphere of the nation.
“He was a detribalised Nigerian who was actively involved in positive national development and will be greatly missed by the nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and I pray for God to console them, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the entire nation over his loss.“