Former minister of health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, said the demise of the diplomat was particularly painful to those close to him because of his uniqueness and commitment to the unity and progress of Igbo and Nigeria.
Nwosu said: “It is sad his death came at this time . It is sad not just for Ndigbo but for Nigeria and the diplomatic world.
“Those of us his friends will feel his painful loss very much . It has left me totally disoriented and confused.”
He explained that the late Ohanaeze president was a special human being who “brightened every room and every conversation he came into.”
“Obiozor and I had some unfinished business especially the one given to us by late Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu.”
Nwosu said Obiozor was an apostle of justice and peace and was always disposed to finding a solution to any problem .
He recalled that in 1999 when he was appointed political adviser to the president, Prof. Obiozor was among the persons he called to help him articulate a vision for the new government.
“He was never tired of reminding Nigeria as it marches on from country to nation that any people denied Justice are not interested in peace.
“He believed that it is wrong to deny any Nigerian his or her citizenship right.”
As Ohanaeze helmsman, Nwosu paid tribute to the foresight which he said the deceased elder statesman captured in pamphlet entitled: “The Journey so far.”
He said: “I shall not forget George and what he stood for. I will not abandon his principled approach to politics , not transaction politics.”
With the death of Obiozor the elder statesman lamented that the number of strategic thinkers among Igbo was being dealt a big blow.
“As we mourn, I grieve over the loss of all the strategic Igbo thinkers like Ikemba Ojukwu, Dr. Arthur Nwankwo , Dr. Alex Ekwueme , Dr. Pius Okigbo, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Uchechukwu Chukwumereije, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and now George Obiozor.”
He prayed that “as we march towards 2023, the labours of these strategic thinkers and leaders shall not be in vain”.
