Iwuanyanwu’s Will bans wife from remarrying

DDM NEWS

Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

The late elder statesman and former Ohanaeze Ndigbo President -General, Chief (Engr. Dr. ) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has left behind a final Will that bans his wife, Lolo Frances from remarrying.

The document, released on June 16, 2025, and managed by Will administrator Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), outlines how the respected businessman and politician’s wealth is divided among his immediate family and select beneficiaries. Among the key highlights is the inheritance of the iconic “Legacy House” on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, willed to Frances with a strict instruction that the house must never be sold.

In addition to the residence, Frances received ownership of Magil Furniture—once run by Iwuanyanwu’s late first wife, Eudora—and partial ownership of real estate holdings in Orji, Works Layout, and Naze in Imo State. But the Will comes with a firm condition: any move by Frances to remarry would result in automatic forfeiture of all these properties.

Their son inherits the Abuja residence, while the London property is slated for sale. The proceeds from that transaction are to be divided with 60% earmarked for the education of Iwuanyanwu’s youngest son, 30% to his first son, Jide, and 10% to Ezinne, who currently resides in the property, to aid in securing a new home.

A major philanthropic gesture within the Will is the decision to convert the “Glass House” near the Orji flyover into a public trust managed by an independent board, dedicated to charitable and community causes. Meanwhile, other valuable assets located in Abuja, Imo, and across Nigeria were fairly allocated among his five children, who have collectively described their father’s final instructions as “honorable and just.”

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a renowned Nigerian politician, businessman, and philanthropist who passed away on July 25, 2024, at the age of 82.

He served as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, a socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people.

Iwuanyanwu was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, having run for president and held various government positions, including chairman of the Raw Materials and Research Development Council and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

Iwuanyanwu built a conglomerate of over 20 companies, including Hardel and Enic Construction Company, Enic Advertising Ltd, Magil Industries Limited, National Post Newspapers, Sunrise Insurance Brokers, Oriental Shipping Lines Limited, and Oriental Airlines.

He founded the Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club (now Heartland F.C.), which won several national and international championships.

Iwuanyanwu foundation awarded scholarships to over 10,000 indigent students and supported various charitable causes.

He served as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, President of the Owerri Peoples Assembly, and member of the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party.

Chief Iwuanyanwu’s passing marked a significant loss to the nation, with many Nigerians paying tribute to his remarkable legacy.

He was remembered for his commitment to unity, peaceful coexistence, and development.

His contributions to the socio-economic development of the country earned him national honors, including the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) .

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