Former and serving staff of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) gathered at the council’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to honour the late pioneer board chairman of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The gathering included goodwill messages and testimonies from participants, who praised the life of this exceptional leader and reformer, known for his hard work, accountability, transparency, sacrifice, and self-discipline during his leadership at the council.
The Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo M. Ike Muonso, while addressing participants at the valedictory event, remarked that the late philanthropist mentored the council staff in dedication to duty and instilled in them a culture of responsibility and productivity as civil servants.
“In 1988, when the Raw Materials Research and Development Council took its first steps at 28 Berkeley Street, Lagos, Chief Iwuanyanwu, our pioneer Board Chairman, alongside the then Director-General, Prof. Mrs Oluremi Aribisala, sculpted the Council’s vision and mission with unwavering dedication. His foresight in promoting strategies and policies to guide the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials laid the foundation for our country’s industrial growth and self-reliance.”
The DG noted that Chief Iwuanyanwu’s efforts, along with those of his Board members, to reduce import dependency and conserve foreign exchange have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s economic landscape.
“Inspired by his pioneering spirit, our Council now collaborates with the National Assembly on groundbreaking legislation. This draft bill aims to revolutionise our approach to raw materials, mandating a minimum of 30% local processing before any export. This initiative honours Chief Iwuanyanwu’s legacy and aligns perfectly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, promising to boost value addition, create jobs, and strengthen our economy,” he said.
He added that the council would honour Chief Iwuanyanwu’s memory by intensifying efforts to promote local raw materials sourcing, reduce import dependency, and conserve foreign exchange.
“As we bid farewell to this exceptional leader, we recommit ourselves to the values he embodied: excellence, integrity, and unwavering professionalism,” he added.
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Extending his condolences to the family, the DG said, “May you find solace in knowing that his legacy transcends time and will continue to inspire future generations. His wisdom, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress will forever echo in the corridors of our institution and in the hearts of all who knew him.”
The pioneer Director-General of RMRDC, Mrs Oluremi Aribisala, described the late icon as a people-oriented leader and father figure to all civil servants, who prioritised staff development.
She added that throughout Chief Iwuanyanwu’s tenure as board chairman, he ran the council’s activities without waiting for or depending on government financial involvement, even embarking on official trips in his own vehicles.
“Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was a parent to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council as the pioneer chairman. He paid the price of self-sacrifice by investing his time, energy, and intellect, with no payment of naira or dollar, no estacode, no contracts, no promises of payment—not even the use of a government car, guest house, or chairman’s luxurious office. The Chief at any given time never travelled on RMRDC funds, nor was he interested in contracts or the use of government vehicles. Instead, each time we travelled to Owerri, his late wife made us feel completely at home at their own cost,” she said.
She noted that the late reformer introduced the university-based salary system, ensuring staff salaries were paid promptly, and maintained that his passion for civil servants was unparalleled.
She called on the current leadership of the council to sustain Chief Iwuanyanwu’s legacy as a mark of honour to him and urged other leaders to emulate his approach for the benefit of the country.
Also speaking, Chief Iwuanyanwu’s spiritual father, Ernest Onuoha, described him as a great achiever who lived a life of selfless service and sacrifice, noting his active involvement in church activities during his life.
He quoted the phrase, “There is a time to be born and a time to die,” adding that the late icon had completed his life journey well.
Responding on behalf of the Iwuanyanwu family, Hon. Jef Ojinika commended the council’s leadership and the event organisers, whose efforts had attracted prominent Nigerians to honour the man who transformed the council.
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