The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has paid tribute to the late Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu, SAN, who was once the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Sharing images from his visit to the departed’s residence on his Twitter handle on Monday, he described Irukwu as a detribalised Nigerian who was actively involved in positive national development and will be greatly missed by the nation.
He wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Professor 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. May God also grant him eternal rest. – PO”
