December 29, (THEWILL) – President General of the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, has died, aged 80.
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, confirmed Obiozor’s death in a statement on his Instagram page on Wednesday night.
Uzodimma said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Imo State, I, Senator 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, a 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.
“His burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family May his great and gentle soul rest in peace.”
There had been speculations surrounding his death since Monday. But the Ohaneze spokesman, Chief Alex Ogbonna, earlier on Wednesday, dismissed the rumours, insisting Obiozor was alive.
Born August 15, 1942, Obiozor was a Nigerian professor and foremost diplomat. He was a high commissioner to Cyprus.
Obiozor was Nigerian ambassador to Israel, from 1999 to 2003. And Nigerian ambassador to the United States, from 2004 to 2008. He was also one time director-general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
He was elected as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo on 9th January, 2021.
Obiozor had his education at Awo-Omamma Comprehensive Secondary School from 1959 to 1963. He attended the Institute of African Studies Geneva Switzerland in 1967 and obtained a Diploma Programme, the University of South Tacoma Washington USA B.A.(Hons) Political Science in 1968, Columbia University New York where he obtained an M.A. in International Law and Organisation. M. Phil in International Affairs in 1974, and finally a Doctorate in International Allans in 1976.
Obiozor was a recipient of the Ugwumba 1 of Orlu in 1991, grantee Albert Schweitzer fellowship from 1969 to 1971, and Alice Stetten fellowship, Columbia University School International Affairs, 1969-1971.
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