Founder of Heartland FC of Owerri and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has died in his early 80s. The sad demise was confirmed by his family in a statement announced by his son, Jide, on Thursday July 25.
“The Iwuanyanwu Family of Umuohi Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr. Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka who died on Thursday, 25 July, 2024, after a brief illness,” the statement read.
Chief Iwuanyanwu founded the club also known as Naze Millionaires in 1976 and was known initially as Spartan FC before it became Iwuanyanwu Nationale. It was in the Nationale era the club enjoyed most of its success, winning the league title five times between 1987 and 1993, and one FA Cup in 1988.
Iwuanyanwu Nationale also reached the African Cup of Champions Clubs final in 1988, the semi-final in 1990 and 1991, and the CAF Cup semi-final in 2000.
The club changed its name in 2006 to Heartland FC, winning back-to-back FA Cup titles in 2011 and 2012 as well as the Nigerian Super Cup in those years.
Heartland suffered relegation from the top division for the first time in 40 years in 2016 under controversial circumstances. The club regained promotion to the top division after one season. Heartland regained promotion again to the NPFL after winning the Nigeria National League in 2023.
Other than Heartland and Ohanaeze, Chief Iwuanyanwu was also the publisher of Daily Champion newspaper.