Nigeria’s insurance guru, Irukwu, buried amidst glowing tributes

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Pix shows (R-L) Governor Otti, Dr. Arunma Oteh and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, during the Interdenominational Church Service

It was a torrent of tributes as prominent Igbo leaders gathered to bury the remans of Nigeria’s Insurance guru, Prof. Joeseph Ogbomnaya Irukwu, at Amaokwe Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Saturday, October 21, 2023, bringing to a climax, a week-long burial programme for the legal icon and a former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. 

Aged 89,  late Prof Irukwu was, until his death, the doyen of insurance in Nigeria, a seasoned administrator, a legal luminary a pan-Igbo leader and an illustrous son of Item.

At an Inter-denominational Church Service held at Jane Egbichi Oteh Mini-stadium preceding the interment of the remains of the Igbo hero, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, noted that the late Irukwu made  impactful contributions to society and left enduring legacies.

The Governor said it was shocking Irukwu passed away untimely given that the deceased had desired to see positive change in Abia but that that desire was tragically cut short occasioned by his passing just one month after the emergence of the present adminstration.

Governor Otti acknowledged the significant achievements of late Irukwu in various fields, such as insurance, law, and his leadership within Ohaneze, but stressed that the most profound accomplishment of  Prof. Irukwu was his devotion to the Christian faith.

The Governor encouraged those present to embrace Christ. “If you believe you’ve achieved great success in life but have neglected to sit and pray to God, it’s time to reconsider your priorities,” Otti told the congregation while urging the Irukwu family to bear the loss with fortitude.

The Governor had, on Friday, October 20, during a Commendation Service in honour of Irukwu, eulogised the deceased for his accomplishments in his life time.

Governor Otti described the former leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation as a seasoned administrator and selfless statesman who championed the cause of Ndigbo during his lifetime, adding that his demise was a huge loss to Abia state and Nigeria in general.

The Governor recalled the giant strides and indelible footprints that Prof Irukwu left behind in the insurance sector, among which were his record as the pioneer Managing Director of Nigeria Insurance Corporation and founder of African Development Insurance Company, as well as the first Professor of Insurance in Nigeria who later rose to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Otti, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, said: “Beyond the field of insurance, he (Irukwu) was a seasoned administrator, selfless and patriotic statesman and highly respected Nigerian. His unrivalled devotion, leadership style and selfless commitment to serving his people earned him the revered title of Omezi Oha Item.

“Prof Irukwu rose to the prestigious leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide as a testament to his leadership might. Indeed words are not enough to console his family at this sorrowful moment.”

Governor Otti, while commiserating with the Irukwu family, immediate community of Amaokwe Item, the entire people of Item Okpi and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on the loss of the illustrious son of Abia State, urged his family and all those he left behind to draw solace in the fact that the late Nigerian statesman impacted many lives.

Also in his tribute during the burial on Saturday, a former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Gary Igariwe, on behalf of the apex Igbo socio cultural group, said the deceased was an  exceptional leader who distinguished himself in service and prayed God to console the family he left behind.

Also, the President-General of Item Development Association, Sir Onwuka Orji, asserted that the late Prof. Joe Irukwu trained and mentored many Item professionals and captains of industry who were excelling all over  the word, maintaining that  his passage has created a big vacuum in Item land and Nigeria as a whole.

In another  tribute, a grandson of the deceased,Tobe Irukwu, described their grandfather as a strong and caring  man who loved his family greatly, adding that he would be missed by all.

In his Sermon, Rev Dr Okey Onuzo, who preached on the essence of God’s love for mankind by giving his son to die to redeem mankind, asserted that whosoever recieves Christ would gain eternal life.

The event attracted an array of dignitaries from all walks of life including the immediate-past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, General Ike Nwachukwu( Rtd), Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, a former Senate President, Adolf Wabara, current President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and other chieftains of Ohaneze as well as distinguished sons and daughters of Item land.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, had, during the Friday Commendation Service held at the Ochendo International Conference Centre, Umuahia, honoured Irukwu with the post-humous award of Hero of Igbo land. 

Chief Iwuanyanwu who personally decorated the late elder statesman with the honour, the highest in the Igbo land, at the solemn gathering, while reflecting on the life and legacy of the departed leader, underscored the immense impact of Irukwu’s service to Igbo people.

He said Ndigbo were proud of the late Professor Joe Irukwu and noted that his name would be etched in the Hall of Fame of Ndigbo at the Ohaneze headquarters building in Enugu.

He called on Igbo youths to imbibe the leadership qualities of the late sage, pointing out that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo would open a hall of fame for Igbo youths who distinguish themselves in their chosen fields.

In his speech on behalf of the Abia State Council of Elders, pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, said the deceased showed patriotism and love for Item people and Ndigbo, adding that late Insurance icon brought the Abia State Council of Elders to lime light as it’s Chairman.

Chief Ugochukwu appealed to the government not to let the efforts of late Irukwu to institutionalize the Abia State Elders Council to be in vain, saying he was instrumental to the formation of the Council.

The veteran Journalist also said he had worked closely with the late Irukwu for over 50 decades, describing him as an Insurance guru who revolutionalised the insurance industry; and who also believed passionately in and worked hard for a “One Nigeria that works for all.”

Also at the Comendation Service, the President General, Item Development Association, Sir Onwuka Orji, described the deceased as a great mentor and icon who orchestrated the development and honour in Item land and noted that the late statesman was a driving force that united the Item people.

Delivering a sermon, the President and Founder of Vision Africa Radio, Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, emphasized that the late Irukwu did not only make a name for himself but also left lasting legacies and urged the congregation to live lives for which they would be remembered and valued.

The pioneer Bishop of Evangelism of Methodist Church Nigeria said the late Prof Joe Irukwu made a profound decision to embrace Christ and through it, received a new name, adding that “When Christ enters into your life, He bestows upon you a new identity.”

Rev Onuoha urged everyone to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour, which would qualify them to receive a new name and be part of God’s kingdom.

He extended his gratitude to all who gathered to pay their final respects to the deceased, as well as the Ohaneze Ndigbo, for bestowing on the late Irukwu, the respect and honour befitting a hero of Igbo land.

The event was attended by prominent sons and stakeholders in Igboland, including a former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Sampson Ogah, Nigerian Economist and Former Director-General of Nigeria Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr Arunma Oteh, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, among the litany of distinguished figures from the Igbo community and beyond.

The late Professor Irukwu, who died  on July 7, this year, was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN; lecturer, author and an insurance guru. He was the founding Managing Director of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation.

He founded the African Development Insurance Company, later sold to Diamond Bank.

Prof. Irukwu obtained a degree in Law and Insurance from a British university in 1962 and upon returning to Nigeria, he was employed by the West African Provincial Insurance Company, a British firm operating out of Lagos.

He rose within the firm and joined the managerial cadre of the firm’s Insurance Department in 1965.

In 1970, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Unity Life and Fire Insurance Company and, it was while working at Unity, that his profile began to rise.

In 1972, the government appointed him head of the Student Loans Board, a committee charged with the responsibility of disbursing loans to students across the country.

In 1977, Prof. Irukwu became the pioneer Chief Executive of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation, a government-owned business established to increase the local share of reinsurance premium income.

Prior to the establishment of the firm, insurance firms in Nigeria conducted reinsurance transactions with foreign companies.

Prof. Irukwu published his first book, Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria in 1967, his second book, Accident and Motor Insurance in West Africa, came in 1974 while the third, Insurance Management in Africa, was published in 1976.