Lagos, Nigeria – In a somber announcement on Friday, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) confirmed the demise of Emmanuel Ijewere, a distinguished figure who had served as the 32nd president of the institute from 1996 to 1997. The news was verified by Dare Muyiwa, the senior manager of the corporate communications directorate of ICAN.
“Yes, he is late,” Muyiwa reportedly informed news correspondents , shedding light on the passing of Ijewere after a prolonged battle with a terminal illness.
Emmanuel Ijewere, born in 1946, was a luminary in the Nigerian business landscape, displaying expertise in banking, finance, and agriculture. His contributions extended beyond ICAN, as he held significant roles in prestigious organizations such as the Institute of Directors (IOD) and the Nigerian Red Cross.
Commencing his accounting career in 1965 at Coopers & Lybrand, Ijewere later founded Ijewere & Co., a chartered accountancy firm in Nigeria, in 1979. The firm earned a stellar reputation for its tax advisory services, solidifying its place among the country’s most esteemed indigenous accounting companies.
As a businessman, Ijewere chaired and directed several companies, including Best Foods Group, Emson, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Drum Resources Nigeria Limited, Apel Capital & Trust Limited, Countrywide Direct Mortgage Company, Kerildbert Holdings, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Gemini Pharmaceuticals, among others.
On the national stage, he was a pioneer chairman of the Agriculture and Food Security Commission and served as a director on the defunct modified value-added tax committee in 1993. Emmanuel Ijewere’s influence reached beyond borders, with memberships in the National Economic Forum (NEF), the International Investment Council (HIIC), and the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council (ATIC) under the chairmanship of ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Notably, he played a vital role as the president of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NAGB), the umbrella organization for Nigerian agriculture, until his passing.
Emmanuel Ijewere’s commitment to the agricultural sector was evident through his role as a resource person for the transition committee of former President Muhammadu Buhari, providing insights into the agricultural landscape of the nation.
His demise marks the end of an era for the Nigerian business community, as Emmanuel Ijewere’s multifaceted contributions and leadership will be remembered and celebrated by those whose lives he touched