BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi, has commiserated with the families of Aguiyi-Ironsi and Okpara on the demises of their legendary mothers and former first ladies.
The deceased, Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, was wife of the first Military Head of State of Nigeria, Gen. Johnson Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, while late Lady Adanna Okpara, was wife of the Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, Dr. M. I. Okpara.
They both passed on recently, aged 97.
Umahi in a statement released in Abakaliki sympathised with the families they left behind, wife of the Governor of Abia State, Nkechi Caroline Ikpeazu and the First Lady, Aisha Buhari.
He described Dame Aguiyi-Ironsi as “a first lady with quintessential charisma who showed deep commitment to national unity and integration both in her husband’s Unitary government and private life.”
On the other hand, Gov Umahi described late Lady Okpara as a pillar of support to her husband’s governance principles.
Gov Umahi said, “I received with the deepest sympathies, the sad news of the death of our matriarchs and legendary mothers, Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of the first Military Head of State of Nigeria, Gen. Johnson Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, and Lady Adanna Okpara, wife of the Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, Dr. M. I. Okpara who were respectively called to glory on 23rd and 22nd of August, 2021 at a bracket age of 97 years.
“She was a strong believer in the husband’s philosophy of ‘pragmatic socialism’ and ‘green revolution’ as a panacea for national development.
“Although we shall miss these graceful women of inestimable dignity, we are consoled by the quantum of fond memories that radiated in their life and times.
“May their gentle souls rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.
“At this moment of grief therefore, I most heartily convey the heartfelt condolences of the government and people of Ebonyi State to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of my dear brother and Governor of Abia State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechi Caroline Ikpeazu and the families of Late Aguiyi-Ironsi and Late M I Okpara”.
