By Deji Elumoye
President Muhammadu Buhari and five former heads of state have sent condolence messages to the Aig-Imoukhuede family on the death of their matriarch, Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede, who died on June 8 at 79.
The former helmsmen of Nigeria who commiserated with the deceased’s family are President Goodluck Jonathan, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan, President Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
Buhari, in a statement by his media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, prayed for God’s comfort for the widower, Mr. Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, the children, grandchildren, and the entire family, asking them to take solace in the fact that the deceased spent the latter part of her years in a deep commitment to the evangelical ministry, and also to bring succour to the vulnerable and underprivileged.
The deceased, Buhari said, was kind, graceful and caring, offering fervent service to God and humanity, which makes her life a beacon of hope and inspiration.
He praised her contributions in the secular realm too, serving variously as Curator of National Museum, President, National Council of Women Societies, and as Secretary of State (Federal Minister) for States and Local Governments in 1993.
Buhari urged the family to preserve the memory of the departed by keeping aglow the fire she lit for the inspiration of all that knew her.
Jonathan asked the family to be comforted by the fact that the deceased was an accomplished public servant and philanthropist whose legacies and contributions to national development, especially in the health, educational, and energy sectors, will continue to endure.
“She will also, be remembered as an exemplary matriarch and epitome of motherhood, having nurtured and brought up distinguished Nigerians and successful entrepreneurs,” Jonathan said.
Obasanjo described Mrs. Aig-Imoukhuede as a great lady who was to her children a mother in a million, and one who served variously as a public servant, women’s champion, teacher, confidant, counsellor and pillar of strength to her husband in her lifetime.
“Her enormous contributions to the nation, in particular, earned her an eminent position in the nation’s gallery of unforgettable public servants,” he said in a condolence message dated June 17, 2021.
Shonekan paid glowing tributes to Mrs. Aig-Imoukhuede, saying with her generous smile for everyone, she would have built just as distinguished a career as a diplomat.
“She was a friend to amazingly diverse people, a devoted family woman, and a most decent human being,” he said, adding: “Almost all who had the privilege of meeting her in life will acknowledge her extreme kindness, generosity and a very large heart.”
Babangida said Mrs. Aig-Imoukhuede was an embodiment of talent, skills and ideas, imbued with subliminal humility.
According to him, “She exuded warmth, radiance, beauty, comportment, brilliance, good-natured and a deep sense of patriotism. Her sense of industry was remarkable.”
Commiserating with the deceased’s family, Gowon said it was difficult to find the right words to express the depth of the loss of Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede, who he described as a fine-spirited woman leader that made sincere and wholesome contributions to nation-building.
Highlighting her impact as National President of NCWS, he said: “Her voice on behalf of Nigerian women was strident and hard to ignore.”
He urged the family to stay strong and be comforted, knowing she had played well her part.
