Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
In the last 24 hours, Nigeria lost two of her most iconic First Ladies – Lady Adanma Okpara and Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi.
They were both aged 97 and hailed from Umuahia, Abia State.
The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, on Monday mourned the passing of the former First Lady of the Old Eastern Region, Her Excellency, Lady Adanma Okpara at the age of 97 years.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, which was sent to TheNiche, said Ikpeazu received the news with a heavy heart but with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty God for a very fulfilled life.
The statement read:
“Lady Adanma Okpara was married to the iconic late Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, who served as Premier of the old Eastern Region from 1959 to 1966, and together, they gave the people of the old Eastern Region, a first class government whose achievements continue to reverberate even till this day.
“The spousal support she provided to her late husband was instrumental to the monumental success he recorded as Premier.
“Widowed since December 1984, Lady Adanma Okpara remained a model of good and excellent womanhood. She was a fountain of knowledge from which most women, especially, here in Abia, drank freely.
“Governor Ikpeazu notes with satisfaction that the now late Lady Adanma Okpara remained at her husband’s house in Umuegwu, Ohuhu, Umuahia and continued to play the role of a mother, grandmother and community leader till her final days.
“The Governor recalls with nostalgia the moments he spent with her and how passionate she remained about the use of the platform of government to better the lives of the people. She freely shared their experiences about the public service of the first republic.”
Her death, the Governor noted, has robbed Abians one of their most iconic female living legends.
According to the statement, “Governor Ikpeazu is however thankful to God for the life of Lady Okpara. She lived a fulfilled life, served God and humanity, as well as had the exceptional privilege of seeing her chikdren, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At 97, she saw it all.
“The Governor assures that the people of Abia State will always treasure her memories, just the way we continue to treasure the great memories of her late husband. Together, they left imperishable legacies.
“The Governor sends his deep condolences to the first son of the family, Chief Uzodinma Okpara (Omekannaya) and indeed, the entire family on the glorious passage of this truly great woman.
“He urges them to take pride in the solid legacies of their parents and be motivated to keep the flag of excellence in public service, hoisted by their parents, flying at full mast.”
The State Government, the Governor assured, will work closely with the family to ensure that she gets a burial befitting of the legacies she left behind.
Ikpeazu, on behalf of his family, the Government and People of Abia State prayed the Almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest and console her family.
Ironically, Lady Okpara’s death came barely hours before the death of another Abia Matriarch, Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of the Nigeria’s first military head of State, Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi.
Mrs. Aguiyi-Ironsi died in the early hours of Monday, also at the age of 97.
Her first son, Ambassador Tom Aguiyi-Ironsi broke the news of his mother’s passing in a family announcement he sent to Sonny Iroche, Convener/National Coordinator Abia League of Professional Initiatives, on Monday.
“The Aguiyi-Ironsi family wishes to inform you that It has pleased God to call to glory Noble Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi to eternal rest.
“She passed on at the early hours of today August 23, 2021.”
Reflecting on the significance of both deaths coming at the same time, Iroche wrote, “Just received the above notice from Ambassador Tom Aguiyi-Ironsi (former Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), of the passing of his dear mother, Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of the first Military Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces (January-July 1966), from Ndume Ibeku Umuahia.
“Coming barely a day after the passing away of Chief Adanma Okpara, wife of late Dr Michael Okpara, Premier of Eastern Nigeria (1960-1966) from Afugiri Umuahia, are monumental losses which have sent shock waves across the entire length and breadth of Nigeria.
“We thank God for the long lives of the two strong and respected Amazons, as they were both over 90 years old.
“May God grant their souls eternal Rest In Peace.
“Our condolences to the families of Michael Iheonukara Okpara and Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi both of Umuahia, Abia State of Nigeria.”
