Lady Adanna Okpara (left) and Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi
Umahi mourns Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Adanna Okpara
[CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State said has expressed his sympathies over the death of their Excellencies, 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.
A statement personally endorsed by Umahi and issued to Journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday by the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barrister Uchenna Orji, described the duo as graceful women of inestimable dignity.
Umahi said late Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi was a first lady of quintessential charisma who showed deep commitment to national unity and integration, both in the husband’s Unitary government and in her private life; while late Lady Adanna Okpara was a pillar of support to her husband’s governance principles, adding that she was a strong believer in the husband’s philosophy of ‘pragmatic socialism’ and ‘green revolution’ as a panacea for national development.
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.
“Late Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi was a first lady of quintessential charisma who showed deep commitment to national unity and integration both in the husband’s Unitary government and in her private life.
“Late Lady Adanna Okpara was a pillar of support to her husband’s governance principles. 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.”
