JUST IN: Ohanaeze Ndigbo President George Obiozor dies

The Imo state government has confirmed the death of Prof. George Obiozor, the President General of pan Igbo social-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The confirmation was coming few days after speculations that the diplomat and academic was dead.

The governor of Imo state government, in a statement signed by Governor Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday evening, however, confirmed the death of the former diplomat.

The state government said Obiozor died recently after a brief sickness outside of the country.

The statement reads, “On behalf of the government and people of Imo state, I, Sen 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 and 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.

“May his great and gentle soul rest in peace.”

The Governor added that the burial arrangements of Obiozor will be announced in due course by the family.