Before his death, Anyiam-Osigwe was the coordinator and secretary to the supervisory board of the Anyiam-Osigwe Group. He had a first degree in economics and a master’s degree in Social anthropology and ethnomusicology from Goldsmiths College, University of London, United Kingdom.
After school, Anyiam-Osigwe was employed at Tsakos-Pedmacgrek Shipping JV, from 1986 to 1990, where he acquired experience in ship management and operations. He was a member of the International Bunker Industry Association and partook in various international seminars and workshops on shipping and marine operations. Under a Third World study programme, he conducted extensive studies and research on indigenous political structures in Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria.
Anyiam-Osigwe took courses on resource development centring on project planning and implementation in developing countries. He was a regular contributor to national and international discourse and authored several academic treatises and essays that have been published in journals, magazines and newspapers. Anyiam-Osigwe was the director of operations for M.D. Yusufu’s Presidential Campaign in 1998.
Also, he served on the board of non-governmental organisations and was an active member of a number of important national and international organisations and institutions, including the board of the Nigerian Foundation for Ethnic and Religious Tolerance (FERET). He was an associate of the University of Pretoria-based African Centre of Excellence in Information Ethics. Anyiam-Osigwe was the chairman of Imo Cooperative Thrift and Loans Union. The honourary consul-general of the Republic of Malawi to Nigeria; he also served on the board of the various companies within the consortium as the Liaison on political affairs.
He was married with children. A lover of arts, he supported many artistic endeavours. He was instrumental to the creation and sustenance of the AMAA. He also tried to propagate the message of the awards and the African movie industry by facilitating interaction with the Malawian government. One of such is the nominees’ party for the AMAA held in Malawi in 2013.
According to a tribute written by a close friend of Anyiam-Osigwes, he was an erudite scholar, thinker, humanist, businessman, and a proud citizen of Nigeria and of the world.
Temitope Ajayi another close associate of the Anyiam-Osigwes wrote this of him on facebook, “you were comfortable in the midst of royalty, presidents, governors, princes, princesses, ministers as much as you were among the peasants and the very poor. You always told me every man and woman, no matter his social and economic status, is a manifestation of Divine Intelligence, the Divine Intelligence being God Almighty. It is your assertion as much as that of your father, Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe, that every man deserves respect and dignity. You were a committed nationalist always working with like minds to find solutions to the myriad of socio-political and economic problems facing Nigeria and Africa.”
Ajayi was also generous in portraying Anyiam-Osigwe’s ideals on the problems facing Nigeria and was forthright on taking actions to tackle these problems.
“I was looking forward to our work on how to build local and international consensus around defeating Boko Haram insurgency and making our country secure,” Ajayi continued in his tribute. “You asked me to prepare a concept note for you on how we can implement your idea, and arrived at credible solution built around civil engagements with key role players across Nigeria without government involvement. You were going to get the funding for the assignment through the United Nations and the African Union. Having worked out the details we were just waiting for Prof. Agboola Gambari, another global Icon who rose to the position of deputy UN secretary-general, to set the process rolling. Pity the country you so much loved and worked for failed you at the hour of your need. No good medical facilities around Benin to provide the necessary and immediate care you needed to stay alive after the armed bandits’ bullet.
Michael, my brother from another mother, a committed friend, confidant and adviser, good-bye from this side of eternity. We will miss you always.”
Another friend of Anyiam-Osigwe posted this on social media: “We begged God to spare your life after the vicious attack by armed robbers. We cried to God to give you more time to live. It has pleased God to take you. In all, he is still God and He knows better. Michael Anyiam-Osigwe, my elder brother, friend, mentor, humanist, man of great intellect and erudition, good-bye from this side of eternity. May God comfort mama, your wife, children, brothers, sister and the larger Anyiam-Osigwe family. Painful, you are gone, my dear uncle Michael. Painful and so painful. I cherished every moment we had together. Such moments were rewarding and enriching. I will forever miss your brotherly love and friendship.”
Others who shared their grief include movie critic, Shaibu Husseini, and Saturday Independent editor, Charles Okogene, among others.
The Anyiam-Osigwe is yet to make an official statement about his death as at press time but a family source said that the family would be making the burial arrangements public soon.
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