Ex-Abia Gov, Orji,  Speaker Mourn Demise of Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi,

 Adanma Okpara

Former governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji and the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, have described the demise of Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Adanma Okpara as great loss to Abia State in particular and Nigeria in general, saying they received the news with sadness and disbelief.  Senator Orji in a statement by his media aide, Eddie Onuzuruike, said late Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi who was wife of the first military Head of State, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and late Mrs.

Adanma Okpara wife of the former Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, contributed their quota to the development of the country.“Death, the end of man’s journey on earth struck in Abia Central Senatorial District snuffing life out of two exceptional and most celebrated matriarchs, former First Ladies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Eastern Region comprising the South-east and South of today, Ladies Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Adanma Okpara.“These ladies experienced the darkest segment of our history as General Johnson  Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi was brutally assassinated in a counter coup in 1966,  while Dr. M I Okpara, Premier of Eastern Region went on exile at the Demise of Biafra.Victoria and Adanma, in a fatal coincidences are no more today having gone the way of all mortals. They highly exemplified the biblical virtuous woman and brought to the fore the dictum that marriage is for better and for worse.“By their exits, Umuahia North LGA, Abia in general and as a matter of fact, the entire nation, have been robbed of mother-figures whose lifestyles, stoicism and amiability will be greatly missed for a long time to come.”

“These Grand Ladies, epitomes of rare motherhood departed at the same time and same age having achieved so much, keeping their families and communities intact.
“It could be rightly argued that what their spouses lost in age were added to theirs as compensation for loyalty and uncommon diligence. Spectacularly they were a few years shy of one hundred!

“May their souls rest in peace as we pray to God to give us another like them who in all ramifications, through thick and thin upheld family values.
“I urge their families, the state and the federal governments to assist in keeping their legacies alive as to immortalise them while at the same time, serving as veritable guides for the future generations, especially in these decadent days when missiles are guided and men misguided,” Orji said.

The Abia Speaker in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Jude Ndukwe, said the state has lost two great mothers who were exceptional during their life time.

Her Excellency, Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi, former First Lady and wife of Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, Late General Aguiyi Ironsi, was a mother of exceptional qualities who neither wavered nor strayed from the pristine causes her late husband believed in and fought for but chose the noble but difficult option of staying back to nurture not only her biological children but also help groom those of us privileged to drink from her bosom of immense wisdom, charity and service.
“We thank God for giving her long life in good health, and on behalf of my family, Principal Officers and Members of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, we condole with the first son of the Ironsi household, His Excellency, Ambassador Tom Aguiyi Ironsi, the entire Ironsi family, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Government and the good people of Abia State, on the passing of Late Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi, and prayed God to grant her soul eternal rest.”
“Lady Adanma Okpara, former First Lady and wife of former Premier of the Old Eastern Region, Dr. Michael I. Okpara was an unassuming achiever, loyal wife, dedicated mother and a committed leader who kept the towering flag of her husband flying till death and the void her death has created will be very difficult to fill.

“On behalf of my family, Principal Officers and Members of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, we condole with the first son of the iconic Okpara dynasty, Chief Uzodinma Okpara (Omekannaya), the entire Okpara family, the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Government and people of Abia State, on the passing of Lady Adanma Okpara and prayed God to grant her soul eternal rest.”