The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Umar Thama Musa, has condoled with the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, over the recent death of its President General, Professor George Obiozor.
This was contained in a letter with reference number 82DIV/G1/300/76, dated 11th January, 2023, and signed by General Musa himself, followed by a condolence visit to the headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
In the letter addressed to the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, entitled “Letter of Condolence”, Musa expressed shock over the sad news of Professor Obiozor’s unfortunate demise.
He further noted that the death is a monumental loss for the Ndigbo and the nation at large.
The Army General wrote:
“The sad news of Professor George Obiozor’s unfortunate demise left the entire nation in deep shock. His death was a monumental loss for the Ndigbo and the nation at large.
For this reason, celebrating this yuletide was not merry as usual particularly for us within the South East. Our mood was that of sorrow and depression knowing that a hero and custodian of the culture and tradition of Ndigbo is no more.
Professor George Obiozor was the 10th President General of Ndigbo Worldwide. As a worthy leader of the Igbo nation, he discharged his duties and responsibilities diligently.
He was a true Nigerian and an exceptional diplomat who has contributed positively in nation building and has represented Nigeria well in the international community.
It is therefore no doubt that his exit will create a huge vacuum amongst the good people of South East Nigeria and indeed the entire nation in general.
On this note, on behalf of my family, officers and soldiers of 82 Division Nigerian Army wish to express my heartfelt condolences and sincerely commiserate with you and indeed the entire Ndigbo and Nigerians on the loss of a rare gem like Obiozor.
His intellectual prowess, ingenuity and professionalism in handling both national and international issues was really impressive and he will highly be missed by all. As we await the official announcement of his burial arrangements, may God Almighty continue to grant his soul peaceful rest.
Once again please accept my sincere condolences.”
Responding in a separate letter on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, thanked Musa for the condolence visit.
He wrote: “On behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, I want to thank you for making out time to pay a condolence visit to the headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo over the death of our former President General, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, CON (Ugwumba Orlu).
“It is very thoughtful of you that so short a time after you assumed office as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of Nigerian Army, you consider it very appropriate to join us in mourning the demise of our worthy son, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor.
“As you already know, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization. Therefore, this your kind gesture to commiserate with us at this mournful period indicates your high regards for the entire Igbo.
“Professor Obiozor died in active service to the Igbo nation. Indeed, Obiozor’s life trajectory was very eventful.”
Ogbonnia, meanwhile, seized the opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army for the huge sacrifices and indeed the supreme prizes they have paid at various times on behalf and in defence of the citizenry.
Reminding the GOC of the humongous task involving insecurity ahead of him, he said:
“As you assume office as the GOC, you are likely to be confronted with some forms of insecurity, which has become the defining character of the Nigerian society.
“The insecurity peculiar to the Igbo can be classified into two broad categories: the Fulani herders-farmers clash, kidnappings and most recently, the invasion and occupation of Igbo ancestral communities.
“The second one is youth agitations which have degenerated into IPOB, ESN, Unknown Gunmen, etc. Importantly, agitations are mostly a chain of prolonged bottled emotions seeking expressions in diverse ways.
“So, while the former requires prompt, aggressive and decisive counter security operations, the latter requires tact, diplomacy and elements of nation building.
“This is because one has economic and expansionist motivations while the other is driven by the natural irrepressible human aspirations or yearnings to attain full potential in life.
“Invariably, the various forms of restiveness in the South East are simply the manifestations or the effects of orchestrated relative deprivations.
“Therefore, in handling these matters as they surely arise, it is necessary to exhibit the highest degree of empathy, humane considerations, global best practices and permissible military public relations.”
He wished General Musa God’s grace and guidance as he discharges your duties as the Commandant of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, hoping that his tenure not be trailed with controversies and that he may live long to harvest the fruits of your endeavors.
“On behalf of the Igbo, I assure you that this your visit will never be taken for granted,” Ogbonnia concluded.
Below is a quick biography of Professor Obiozor as provided by Dr. Alex Ogbonnia:
Ambassador Professor George Obiozor hails from Awo-Omamma in Imo State.
After his secondary school, he travelled to the Switzerland and later to the USA for further studies. He studied History, philosophy, Political Science and International Relations and was actualized with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Affairs.
He rose to the enviable rank of a Professor of International Affairs. Obiozor was a reflective scholar and an author of world renown.
He served Nigeria in various capacities, some of which include: the Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs; the High Commissioner to Cyprus; Nigerian Ambassador to the State of Israel and the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America.
Obiozor in collaboration with Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and Joe Asogwa worked successfully for the amnesty granted to Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and his return from Cote d’Ivoire in 1982. Obiozor was to lead the Igbo delegation to the 2014 National Constitutional Conference and ultimately elected as the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Sunday, January 9, 2021. He was a quintessential Igbo. Read more.
—
©Copyright 2022 News Band
(If you would like to receive CURRENT NEWS updates from News Band on WhatsApp, join here; for Telegram, join here. If the group is full, kindly send WhatsApp/Telegram message to +234 905 038 2526. You can also send eyewitness accounts/reports/articles to elstimmy@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter @News Band; like our Facebook page: News Band.)
