Women Affairs Minister Pauline Tallen has condoled the family of Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, over the death of its matriarch, Victoria.
The condolence message is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the minister and made available to newsmen.
Tallen described the late Mrs Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, widow of the former Head of State, as a woman whose life and time could be held up as exemplary to the present day Nigerian women.
The minister pointed out that the deceased First Lady did not openly show resentment against military officers who had a hand in the death of her husband, but instead about making herself and others happy.
“Mrs Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi’s life is exemplary to the Nigerian women of this generation in the way she bore with incredible willpower and extraordinary valour.
“Her misfortune at losing a dear husband in the darkest circumstances that tried the fabrics of our dear nation in the military coup d’etat of 29th July, 1966 is still fresh.
“The deceased earned her place in the history of Nigerian women’s struggles by laying a solid foundation for women’s leadership role in the seat of power.
“She is one of the founding members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, a privileged position she used to champion the welfare of families of military officers’’ the minister said. (NAN)