The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has expressed sadness over the passing of George Obiozor, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation

Wakadaily reported that the 80-year-old professor, died on Monday after a brief illness, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State announced in a statement, Wednesday night.

Mourning the deceased, Buhari through his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, described the death of the Ohanaeze leader as an “immeasurable loss to the country.”

The President notes that the former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, Ambassador to the State of Israel and former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs exemplified leadership skills and values as a thoroughbred diplomat.

The statement read, “The President believes that the contributions of the unique leader and strong proponent of peace and a stable polity, who also held other strategic public positions, will never be forgotten.

“President Buhari trusts that all who mourn the demise of the statesman, who commanded great respect among his peers in the academia and foreign policy arena, will honour his memory by actively embracing his beliefs and ideas geared towards uniting Nigeria beyond geo-political considerations.”

Buhari said he has “fond memories of meeting Prof. Obiozor on several occasions” and that he values the “endearing sense of patriotism” of the elder statesman.